ABERRATION WE BRING INSPIRATION

FIRST EDITION

WHAT IS ABERRATION?by: Michael Suber-CEO/Photographer

Aberration is a creative photography company that are most famous for their landscape and portrait photography. Aberration Photography was first established in Howard Community College by three students. Michael Suber, Ricky Smith, and Amber Kettenhofen who put together a photography group which would al-low students to participate and put their skills into practice. In this group, they would hold weekly meetings so that the president, Amber could hand out the assignments to test out how creative the photographers were. To make the long story short, after a semester of Aberration starting as a group, it was time to see what they could do as a business. Because Amber had school conflicts and other personal problems, she was not able to be apart of the group which is now a small company. Michael Suber was then put in charge, makeing sure that they had all the necessary paperwork and people to operate the company. Michael was going make Aberration Photography a company that no one could forget. He is trying his best to make it the number one company above Apple (It can be done). But what he fails to realize is that when starting a company, he had to first get a lawyer to look at all the contracts and have it explained to him about what he was getting himself into. Mi-chael thought that it was all fun and games creating a business, he thought wrong. So during the process, he and his marketing manager Waverly Gunter came up with an idea about the name. they felt that it (Aberration Photography) was too long and that they needed to shorten the name to Aberration. When shortening the name and adding a logo, the company will become much more noticeable and memorable. In the upcoming future they expect to bring in more customers than what they started out with and hope to expand their com-pany.

To us, phoTography is an arT of observaTion. iT’s abouT finding someThing inTeresTing in an ordi-nary place... We’ve found iT has liTTle To do WiTh The Things you see and everyThing To do WiTh The Way you see Them.

Storage Wars: Computer EditionBy: Edward Chen-Information Systems Administrator

Shopping for a computer can be a nightmare, especially if you aren’t especially tech-savvy. RAM, HDMI, DDR3, SATA, DVI, VGA, and all other applicable acronyms just look like someone put an alphabet and a bunch of numbers into a blender, instead of having any meaning to your average Joe. However, unless you are either a gamer or work in the IT field, none of those acronyms should really matter. Whenever you go out shopping for a computer, I can guarantee that one of the few things that you will be looking for (regardless of whether its a laptop, tablet, netbook, or desk-top) is storage space. As a former Staples Easytech technician, I can safely say I would be a rich man if I had a nickel for every time I had a customer ask me “How much data does it hold?” If I had a nickel for each time I had someone ask me “Does this have any SCSI connectors?”, “Does it support e-SATA?”, and “Does this card use GDDR3, GDDR4, or GDDR5?”, I would have exactly 20 cents. For those of you who are currently in the market for a new computer, upon asking about the computer’s storage, you may or may not have had a few confusing letters thrown your way: SSD, H-HDD, HHD, SSHD, and HDD. Let me condense that list and explain what these terms mean. H-HDD, HHD, and SSHD are all the same thing, so I’ll shorten that list to SSD, HHD, and HDD. These acronyms refer to the type of storage being used in said device. They stand for Solid State Drive(SSD), Hybrid Hard Drive(HHD) and Hard Disk Drive(HDD). If you don’t know what the dif-ference is, pay attention and finish this article because the information I am about to give you could drastically affect your purchase decision.

Hard Disk Drives(HDDs):

HDDs are old technology. REALLY old. First introduced in 1956 by IBM, it recorded data by having an arm with a reader/writer(called a head) magnetize strips of ferromagnetic material on the top of a rotating platter. The core concept of the technology really hasn’t changed much. Data stor-age has gotten more efficient, drives have gotten smaller, but in the end, its still putting ferromag-netic material on a rotating platter. As such, since it has moving parts, it is prone to failure due to bumps, shocks, drops, and pretty much any man-ner of movement while it is operational.

Hard drive from the 1970’s with a whopping 250 MB of storage space. That’s not a typo.

So what are the upsides to an HDD? They’re cheap. Really cheap. How cheap? A Western Digital 4TB external HDD sells for $149.00, which is approximately $0.04 per GB. To put that into perspective, if USB sticks were that cheap, a 6GB stick would cost about the same price as a gumball. They also tend to have a higher storage capacity than other types of drives. Most computers on sale today sport drives ranging from 500GB to 1TB. Higher end drives can reach 4TB, but recent improvements in HDD technol-ogy have (at least theoretically) made 60TB drives possible.

Solid-State Drives(SSDs):

Solid-State Drives are relatively new. However, the technology behind them isn’t really all that new. In essence, SSDs are just really big flash drives. Since there are no moving parts, there’s no delay in retrieving whatever data it has to. In hard drives, the platter must spin up, and it must also look for that data on the platter. SSDs don’t have to. As a result, a computer with an SSD will boot up in seconds,; a computer with an HDD may take a minute or two. SSDs are also quieter, more rugged(remember, no moving parts), and they’re much, much smaller than their mechanical counterparts. So why hasn’t everyone got-ten an SSD? They’re friggin’ expensive. While a 1TB HDD will run you $70.00 to $150.00, a similar size SSD costs $600.00 at best. That’s enough cash to buy two new desktop computers. Here’s a tip for those of you who know their way around a circuitboard: Install your OS on a small, cheap SSD and use a large HDD to store data in order to speed up your system’s read/write times and op-timize storage capacity. For those of you who either don’t want to do that or didn’t understand a single word of that, you can look into getting:

Hybrid Hard Drives are the latest development in storage technology. In essence, it is a small SSD paired with an HDD. It takes traits from both types of drives, and as a result, reaps the same benefits and suffers from the same drawbacks. HHDs tend to have a shorter life than regular HDDs, because the platter has to spin up more often than normal. Otherwise, it has the same drawbacks as a regular HDD, is slightly more expensive, but also performs better. A computer with a HHD tends to boot much faster than a computer with an HDD. The storage space is comparable to a regular HDD, and tends to consume slightly less power than a regular HDD. In the end, the best kind of drive really does depend on the persons situation. Someone who is strapped for cash would likely go for an HDD, someone with a little more money might go for an HHD, and for a person who is in a situation where money is of no issue, an SSD may be the way to go.

“What Is Inspiration?”By: Alex Shaw-Director of Photography

Where does inspiration come from? Depending on who ask, it could be from a lot of different places. Is that true though? Is inspiration different for everyone?

To start off I’d say honestly that nothing is truly original, everything comes from something else. However what is different is the executions of the same idea. That’s we’re the uniqueness and personal touch comes in from the artist. You take an idea, and make it YOUR way. Now the inspiration itself isn’t just you sitting down and seeing something and saying “I have to do that exactly the same!”, No. Inspiration gives you push so you yourself can start rolling down the hill. Inspiration comes from those ahead of us, yet we take it and mold it differently. Another way to say it is that there is more than one way to tell the same story. You have the same idea, but its your characters, your setting, your plot. Get it? Inspiration comes externally, but you build upon what you’ve already seen to alter it, making your original work in the sense that its your own execution and style. Take it from the words of of the well known physicist, Sir Isaac Newton - “I have stood on the shoulders of those before me”.

Inspiration is what drives us as artists to create and keep creating. Without it, could we think purely originally? Maybe, but it might be hard. You see, inspiration doesn’t paint the picture, it fills in the white spots of your blank canvas. Inspiration comes from things that attract you, from tv shows to a plastic toy; anything can inspire you. The only trick is finding different things that can inspire you, and what you can make out of it.

Why I choose to pursue a career in photographyBy: Heather Taylor-Photographer

I should first say that I didn’t actually decide on photography as a career choice. I sort of fell into it and figured I was okay with it. I’ve always loved photography but have been unsure as to whether to pursue it professionally. I consid-ered it to be a side hobby and not a main career goal. I joined a photography club at HCC and after one semester, Mike chose to turn it into a company that way we would have more freedom to run it the way we like, as well as placing our time, talent, and energy into something more profitable. I honestly wasn’t sure how it would work out, but it has been go-ing pretty well so far.

The club turning into a company has made me realize that I could take my interest in photography to a higher level. I have also been influenced by the people closest to me, who advise me to expand on my photography interests. They rein-force my desire to pursue photography and encourage me to take it farther. Because of them, I have a supportive base for my pursuit.

Although I still have other career interests, I am choosing to take photography more seriously and use it as a starting block. I am taking my first photography class next semester, which I am really looking forward to. I intend to use photography for the rest of my life, whether that be professionally or not. I love photography because it allows me to capture life and create art. It also allows me to preserve memories, which is something people will always desire. I am able to express myself artisti-cally and also provide people with cherished products. This is what makes photography such a lucrative career. There is a lot of freedom in freelance photography, and it is rewarding because I am doing something I truly enjoy.

TouchedPhotographer: Michael Suber

Model: Lindey Allen

Touch is about the people who came into our life and “touched” us. When they leave your life they leave their mark on you, which in this case used the handprints to symbolize that. We chose black because of its simplicity. Black is a powerful color because it stands out and can turn to an emo-tional side. The black leotard was worn so the extremities of the body could be shown. The individual poses were based on each person made you feel internally. Memories are ingrained with us and eventually fade, but they will sometimes come back and haunt the mind.

“People come into your life and people leave it... you just have to trust that life has a road mapped out for you.” ~Orlando Bloom

possessedPhotographer: Michael Suber

Models: Alex Shaw & Lindey Allen

Starting a clothing line can be considered one of the most exciting , rewarding and also can be the toughest business you could enter into . With my team of help , Mike Suber ( CEO/Photographer) and Gabby Gilbert ( Head Designer ) all agreed to deliver the world a fascinating new brand called SpaceAge. SpaceAge specializes in designing an Urban style for teens and young adults. It’s not to be confused with the wide selection of urban designers on the market since our major goal is to be known for our diversity, and valid clothes that takes you to the new age, The SpaceAge. Fall of 2013 will be our highly anticipated release , this will be the official start of a new journey.Many questions I asked myself from time and time again. One, should I give up on my dream , or could the process be any easi-er? Things seem behind the scenes of any clothing line is enormous and dealing with promoters, models, artist, designers, orders, shipments and the IRS is something you must be prepared to do. SpaceAge is willing to grow beyond your local brand and into a well recognize and mainstream clothing line into the urban markets. By obtaining these goals we believe our high quality designs and promotion will give us a great start entering into the fall of 2013. Many obstacles will occur but realizing this early will put the main focus ahead of any setbacks that could hinder our growth, or stop our existence. So furthermore, stay tuned to what’s to come in the fashion world.

SpaceAgeWritten by: Orlando Galloway-Fashion Director

Creative IdeasBy: Catarina Torres-Model/Liaison

The way I get my creative ideas is how just by looking outside or looking around my house. If I see something in nature or even on the internet that I think would be amazing if I recreated it, I try to create a whole new idea with three or four ideas put together to make one larger idea. Anything can be an inspiration for creating something beau-tiful. You just have to figure out what you can do with it. My favorite thing to do is to create intricate line drawing that could be used to embellish something that is already made, create art works or even body art. Anything can be made into an amazing work of art; it is just how the person sees the art and how they understand it. That is the best thing about art, people can have different impressions on the art work and it can give the artist different opinions and can help the artist create new ideas. Thinking of new ideas for designs takes time and inspiration. Listening to music does help get the creative juices flowing especially when you are on a deadline. The way you can become great at a specific style of drawing is tracing. Tracing over designs or figures you are interested in drawing is a great way to begin in the drawing field. I started to trace tattoo designs then I would modify it and change it to the specific design I want. Once you get memory muscle from tracing the same type of drawing over and over again, you will be able to start to draw freehand. Another way I learned to draw well was to observe videos, read about techniques, doodle, take art classes, drawing from memory and drawing in the moment. It’s great to start mini projects type of art form. You will almost always get new ideas once starting a mini project. The best thing to do is write it down, gather some references and plan it out. So once you’re finished with your mini project you have another to start. This will give you the practice and hopefully im-prove your skills.

GAZEBy: Alex Shaw-Director of Photography

This photo, titled ‘Gaze’ shows off a more old fashion intensity. Rather than using color filters and textures, it takes in detail through the lack of color, giving this photo a more ‘calm before the storm’ feel.

Battle Stareby: Michael Suber-CEO/Photographer

Extravadance, a fairly new dance company located in Howard County Maryland, hosted an event for all the dancers from all over. These artist have been dancing since they were little kids, and some have started when they were in middle school and high school. Many people do not see the art in dancing, that’s because you have to feel what they feel when they dance. That warmth feeling of anxiety and happiness to freely express themselves by dancing is what builds and expands their character. These danc-ers had the opportunity to show their skills in front of many other friends and fellow dancers. Kids with extraordinary gifts should not be put it to the side. “There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and be-cause there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other me-dium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. ... No artist is pleased. [There is] no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others”-Martha Graham

‘Evaporate’ V1By: Alex Shaw-Director of Photography

Going to go back and do some editing with the color and exposure. Some experimentation with filters should prove good as well.

Brazil V1By: Alex Shaw-Director of Photography

The title derives from where I got the inspiration from to make the photo this way, ‘Brazil’ is a film from 1985 that had a poster that gave me some ideas.

‘Lost’ V1by: Alex Shaw-Director of Photography

Simply titled, nothing real fancy yet. Probably going to back over the eyes to make it smoother, as well as the mouth. Still a lot of work to do with this one.

Say Somethingby: Michael Suber-CEO/Photographer

Spring Landscape photographyBy: Michael Suber

Virgina Landscape PhotographyBy: Michael Suber

Yin and Yang VIby: Michael Suber

This is a very interesting piece, and the reason I say that is because this was made by accident. I was making coffee one day in my kitchen and was talking about the Chinese and their cultures and my friend James and I got on the subject of spiritual beliefs. We were arguing that Yin and Yang is just a mythical belief that the Chinese thought that it will give them everlasting life but in all reality if they believe that enough and worship their god in that way, then it is possible to have l long-lasting life. I told my friend that he was wrong and that Yin and Yang have different purposes, the reason I know this is because of the art history class I took in college. Yin is a symbol of earth, femaleness, darkness, passivity, and absorption. Yang is conceived of as heaven, male-ness, light, activity, and penetration. He did not believe me but when he finally looked it up on the internet, he found that he was wrong. After we finished talking about it, I decided to make another cup of coffee with the same effect and use that as my research paper for art history.

Malfunctioning IdeasBy: Michael Suber

Have you ever had an idea that you thought was going to work and when you tried it, you for sure thought it would work but it didn’t? Well I had that experience, I was on a deadline in creating an ad for a company called Enterprise which helps pro-mote small business so that they can get the recognition that they want. I had two weeks to come up with an idea to help pro-mote cat food, the business name is Helping Animals, what an ironic name because everyone want so help animals. Well in this case, my head was pounding trying to find a way to advertise cat food. Three days went by, still thinking and still blank. Al-though on the fourth day, I had some inspiration when I came across some cats in the alleyway scavenging for food. I could use alley cats in the ad to help get my point across. “Helping Hands are needed For Animals”, that’s what they gave me to work with. I illustrated cats in the alleyway and someone going in to feed them and take them in/embracing them with love and compas-sion. By the next Monday, I handed in my work and they con-gratulated me because no one could have done this assignment. They gave it to the most creative person in the office, which was me. My head still felt a little overwhelmed but I got through it. So just when an exploding light bulb occurs in your head and you are running out of ideas, find some ideas on the outside world.

Help Part One: after a shoot, how do you keep from having to go through thousands of photos when editing?

How many of you all have to go through hundreds to thousands of photos after every shoot? That’s because you are taking too many damn photos!! When doing a shoot, you don’t want to keep clicking away hoping to capture the models every movement. You are in control of the model, you tell them what to do, where to move, what personality to have and how to dress. If you lack those instructions, the models will not give you what you want. Instead, you will get the opposite of what you want, nasty looking photos and a bunch of them. Many photographers have learned the hard way especially me. My first shoot was a disaster, i knew nothing about doing a shoot, this was 3 years ago from now. It was a shoot for one of my friends who needed some photos done so that she can send them to an art institute, well let me tell you, doing that shoot was like pulling teeth. I had no idea that you had to tell them what to wear, how to position them, etc. I was like a sitting duck pretty much. It took me a while to find ways for them to pose and how to set them up, most of the time i was on my phone trying to find way to help me get through that shoot. So before every shoot that you do, plan it out first. Know the location, weather, how you will set up, how many pictures of each pose you will do, what kind of poses you will have them perform, and what settings you will use for the majority of the shoot depending on the weather. When you finally shoot, when taking the pictures you should check them every five shots or so and make sure that they satisfy you and the client. So when you go back to edit them, you wont have 5,000 photos to go through and find out whats good and what’s bad and then go through it to edit them. So be cautious and plan before you shoot.