Lee Varis is a photo-illustrator working in Hollywood. He has been involved in commercial photography for the last 30 years. He started working with computer imaging about 20 years ago and currently works with digital as well as conventional photography in conjunction with computer graphics to create images for use in print advertising.
Lee’s work has been featured on movie posters, video box covers, CD covers, numerous brochures and catalogs. His creative imaging has been featured in National Geographic, Newsweek and Fortune magazines as well as trade journals like PDN, New Media, Micro Publishing News, Rangefinder and Photo Electronic Imaging. Most of Lee’s work starts off as photography that is manipulated in the computer using a wide variety of imaging software. Images are often re-combined with digital painting and effects or with additional photo elements to create digital images that transcend the original source materials.
Clients, art directors and fellow artists look for inspiration at Lee’s web site:
There he displays imaging work and a "Methods" section with practical imaging information.
Lee has also been involved with consulting and training activities for numerous corporate clients. He did two series of imaging seminars for Apple Computers that took him around the country to most of the major metropolitan areas and is currently active in seminar programs with PPA and Julia Dean Photographic Workshops as well as a weekly "Photoshop for Photographers" workshop in Los Angeles.
Lee’s first book was "Digital Photography for Creative Professionals" with Rockport Publishers 2003. This is an examination of professional applications of digital photography for commercial graphic artists and art directors concentrating on workflow issues and creative solutions for graphics workgroups. His latest book is the best seller: “Skin: The Complete Guide to Digitally Lighting, Photographing, and Retouching Faces and Bodies” Wiley Publishing 2006. He has written articles for Design Graphics, PEI, PC Photo, Rangefinder and Digital Photo Pro.
As a fine artist, Lee has been working on a series of images based on the Tarot. Current progress on this project is on display at:
The future of imaging, and specifically photography, is clearly digital. Lee has a firm command of both traditional and digital techniques, giving him a clear advantage over the computer technician who is not equipped to make creative judgements and the conventional artist who lacks the skills necessary to realize the digital future.
Marwan Aridi is a Lebanese-American Artist with world-renowned acclaim. Art and Calligraphy captured his heart at a very young age. Prominent calligraphers who heard the whispers of his calling helped engrave the "do's and don'ts" of classical art on his heart. He supplemented this God-given talent by pursuing his higher education in the United States, where he completed his Bachelors of Fine Arts in Graphic Design in 1980, and a Masters of Arts in 1983.
An avid hands-on practitioner, Aridi continued to pursue personal expression through art guided by the techniques he gained through higher education. In 1992, he founded Aridi Computer Graphics, Inc. a software company specialized in fonts, drawings, and ornaments production. Today thousands of worldwide end-users enjoy more than 32 distinguished software releases to his credit. His designs are incorporated in books, magazines, advertisements, and a plethora of commissioned artwork around the globe.
Impeccable attention to detail combined with irresistible color coordination has distinguished Aridi's art for decades. His art transcends cultural and historical barriers with a unique blend of the classical and the unfamiliar. The result is breath-taking, one-of-a-kind masterpieces. A quick glance at any of them never fails to prompt the viewer to inquire about the artist, and the rest of his portfolio. That has been the litmus test of every production deemed ready to bear Aridi's signature.
Aridi's exhibition tour stops include New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, London, Paris, and Japan. Countless public, private, regional, and global awards only serve to confirm the uniqueness, influence, and reach of his creations.
Mohammed Jogie studied Fine Art and Graphic Design. He is a practicing visual communications designer and works for Adobe as Design Evangelist for the Middle East, Africa and Mediterranean regions.
He is a board member of the South African Communication Design Council (think), Vice President of International Council of Graphic Design Associations (ICOGRADA), a Professional Member of AIGA and a member of the International Society of Typographic Designers (ISTD). He also serves on the board of the Communications and Advertising Forum for Empowerment (Café).
Mohammed is an Adobe Certified Expert and holds a Creative Suite Master accreditation as well as a Print and Web Specialist certification.
Ashraf Kessaissia – France
Ashraf Kessaissia is Sales & Marketing representative for WinSoft since 2008, he oversees the company's sales in the Middle East and North Africa.
Prior to working with WinSoft, Ashraf Kessaissia was Developement
Engineer then Marketing Manager for multinational company. In parallel,
Ashraf is photographer represented by ReduxPictures Agency (NewYork).
Ashraf holds a bachelor's degree in electronics and semiconductor from the ENSERG at Grenoble.
Hassan Marji, a Lebanese citizen, graduated from BAU-Beirut Arab University with a degree in Architecture. He is currently Principal Instructor at ADMS (Applied Digital Media Services). Boasting over 19 years experience in creative, printing and 2D, 3D animation and related industries, Hassan has worked in numerous corporate/industrial projects in Lebanon, as well as regional and national commercials.
Hassan is an Adobe Certified Instructor (ACI) and holds accreditation in Adobe Premiere, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign. He has taught and chaired numerous national seminars and university courses in Lebanon and Middle East.
George Semaan is the business manager for HP large format indoor printing solutions for IPG, HP Middle East, based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In his role, George is responsible to develop large format indoor printing solutions business for the Middle East along with the Large Format Supplies business and Loyalty programs.
George joined HP in 2003 where he was responsible for large format supplies sales in the Middle East and for running various large format supplies marketing activities and promotions with and to support channel partners. Before joining HP, George was an Account Sales Manager - Middle East for a Supplies distributor in Dubai. George has a degree in Economics, and he is pursing a master’s degree, He currently lives in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.