Yet again, I am amazed at the talent of the young guns here at Artalyst. Let me introduce you to a young talented photographer who is showing a lot of promise and creative vision in his photography.

Lets welcome Carlomuscat.

How old are you Carlo?

I am 17 years old, will turn 18 in February; can't wait!

Where do you live?

In Malta, a very, very small island situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. The town I live in is called Attard.

When did you first start doing photography and why?

I bought my digital camera the past Easter, when I went to the US . I found out about these photography sites and competitions, and my brother had just bought digital camera himself about 4 months before. I had this urge to take photos and submit them on the web and I couldn't just use my brother's camera whenever I wanted, even though I did my best! So I started planning to buy a camera.
I am mostly interested because my father is a professional photographer, who has been in wedding photography for lots of years. He thought me many things and helped me make the right choice when it came to purchasing the camera.

What camera do you use now?

A Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5. Great value for money; it produces astonishing photos with great detail and colour!

Was this your first camera or have you had several, tell us about your first camera and camera up to the one you use now?

My father had bought me a small film camera about 4 years ago. I really liked it but I didn't know how to really use it and simply lost some interest at that time; I only used it for holidays etc. I didn't know how to make real photos.

Was art something you were surrounded with at home?

Well, since my father was a photographer, he continuously brought huge prints, new photos home; and since when I was little, I just loved almost every form of art, such as drawing, which I hope to continue pursuing for many more years.

Are other members of your family artists or interested in art?

With my father who has been a photographer for lots of years and learning how to draw, and my brother also interested in photography … "yes".

I am glad to see your father helped you make the right choice in cameras.
Has your father influence as a photographer had an impact on the type of
photography you like to shoot?

I am sure that in some way, for him to teach me how to compose shots best, he would have showed me by taking some photos himself at the beginning; and to learn I had to imitate certain things he did, until I learnt what I was supposed to do. When he got his digital camera himself (at the same time I got mine) he always looked for these painted doors, painted walls etc, which looked like paintings. So probably the fact that I take abstract shots is partly because he influenced me in some way.

Has your father given you any advice about photography that you have found invaluable?

He told me almost everything I had to know…and when you're a beginner, everything is invaluable. So, yes he did! :-)

You mention your brother has a camera, is he into photography too, seems to me that there could be a bit if sibling rivalry, where you try to shoot a better image than the other. Is this the case?

Yes he is into photography too. There's no rivalry though. Sometimes my father, my brother and I go out and have a photography session, sort of. We spend around 2 hrs, everybody goes his own way and at the end of the day we see who managed to notice what and what we photographed in general. It's fun – everyone start going "Hey, I didn't see that – where was it…?"… "Wow, that nice; where did you find it?!" And so on and so forth. It's interesting how different people see different things even when they both pass right infront of it…and how, if both see it, they interpret it in such different ways.

I see that you have a talent for abstract photography, tell me about some of your favourite photographs and what it is you particularly like about them.

1. "The Shape of Luxury" – It is just so simple with very few lines to lead to the red light. Even though it's simply, the lines really make it seem something luxurious. (Always my opinion). This photo was taken for an "Abstract Transport" competition, but I don't know why, I hadn't entered it (don't ask). Probably, I ended up taking so many photos of cars that I had forgotten about this one!

3. "Architectural Designs" – This is also part of the stadium, but from the "outside". I love the way the silver/transparent lines enclose the golden triangle. I get the impression that the picture is in movement, due to the lines passing through each other.

I notice you have a liking portraits shots, wither they be outside or studio setups, I am guessing that is your father in several shots I have seen. Is this another area of photography you prefer?

Yes, that is my father. Those photos were taken in the living room, with a black background and a large flash; the flash is my father's - it's one of the few things he kept for personal use; it comes in very handy! I like taking portraits, but I don't think I really have the necessary skills. My father thought me how to setup the lights and everything and how the people should pose for a portrait, how to know if the light is attacking the face correctly, how the person posing should place there head and eyes, and many other things; lots of them. Those few portraits you have seen were taken some day when we spent about 2 hrs in the living, setting up everything. He would know how the light is attacking his face and how he should pose. So all I did really was….frame…..and shoot! I really like those photos and even though it was ME who actually took them, he was the one who setup everything and who knew how to pose perfectly.

Photographers all have different strengths, what are your strengths and why?

I guess that, as you said, my eyes are always captured by things which can make up abstract pictures. I just feel it is natural. I see something and immediately know what I want to it to look like in the photo and how I am going to compose it. I can't tell you why. I don't know from where I got this feature; haven't been taking photos for so long.

Is there a type of photography that you haven't had a chance to do but would like to?

I would really love to have a chance to try some sort of photojournalism as well as wild life photography! That would be simply amazing.

Do you have a favourite photographer that you are inspired by or that
influences or work?

Not really. I have never looked at famous works and seen that I really like ones by a specific photographer. I've never bought any photography books to learn from or anything like that. Even though I would like to have some books to put on my shelves! :-)

Besides photography do you have any other artist's pursuits?

As I said before I love drawing and design. I am studying to enter an architecture course in University next year…and I hope to specialize in Interior Design, which requires a lot of practice!

You mention you enjoy drawing and would like to pursue it, what medium do
you use, pencil, charcoal etc…?

I love painting mostly in pencil, sometimes charcoal. I have tried painting with mediums such as watercolour, etc; but I don't feel as comfortable.

Do you have a specific style of drawing you like to pursue?

Not really. Sometimes I just find an interesting picture a try to draw it. A sort of challenge for me! The last thing I drew was a portrait (which in my opinion is the most difficult thing to draw), which didn't turn out to be good. But you've got to try!

I cannot recall seeing any of your drawings at Artalyst… or have I missed it? I would have thought this would be a good platform to show your work off and get advice.

I had uploaded just one picture which I had drawn quite some time ago. I had it scanned and tried to colour it in PS with airbrush. It was the first time I tried it and it didn't work out too well. You're right, it's a good place to get advice on some of my drawings too, however it's been a really long time since I last tried drawing. A few months ago I bought a graphic tablet though and maybe I should start drawing something; but it takes up too much time!

Is there any other type of art that you would like to try but have not?

I don't think. I try almost everything which I think I like…in some things I do well, in some others less; but I try many things. I can't think of anything in particular right now which I would like to try and haven't.

Is making money with your art something you hope to do, or just a happy extra?

Well it would be nice to sell a few pictures. It would be a dream to have some sort of small exhibition, but I'm really not hoping about that right now! Who knows, maybe in the coming years; but I'm not thinking of becoming a professional photographer!

Do you have any other hobbies?

So…you know about the "drawing" part…I'm sure you got fed up of me talking about it :-). I'm very keen on Jazz!

Do you play a musical instrument?

I play the alto saxophone, which is considered to be the Jazz instrument. I'm crazy about it right now, I can't stop playing; but obviously I'm still learning. This summer I have been to Germany, Hamburg to be precise, with the school orchestra for a few master classes and to perform with the orchestra and also solo. It was a great experience! I hope to have the chance to do it once more – or more than once, which would be as fine!

Do you use Photoshop to edit your images, what are your thoughts about using PS to
edit your images? Is it a good thing or bad?

I do use PS to edit my images. It's always the same few steps though…auto levels, levels, brightness, contrast, sharpen etc.! Only rarely do I use it for "advanced" editing. I don't really know if you can call it advanced, but for me it is!
I think it's ok to use PS as long as the photos remain much like the original. That is what it's for after all. Since it's there, why not use it?

How did you find out about Artalyst?

From the adverts which said that some contests on Worth1000 were sponsored by the site. I saw the word "Art", so I got interested and thought it would be something to do with photography.

Artalyst is different from many art sites, what about it attracted you?

True, it is different; a special atmosphere. I like the way things are set up and all the new stuff which is introduced every now and then…this keeps me visiting the site every so often, wanted to know if something new has been added. I love when I receive an alert which has "[Artalyst] thread subscription update for carlomuscat……" as a heading. I look forward to reading everyone's comments which are so helpful and many times also encouraging. I like the site since there are no restrictions. If you need to know where you stand, all you have to do is upload a few pictures and you'll know how good or bad they are.

Do you have any final comments or advice for us Carlo?

I would like to thank you for this interview and would like to thank everyone who helps me to continue learn by voting and commenting on the images I submit. This site is amazing!