I take pictures of my own pet birds. I've done some others, too, and wonder if anybody hs an idea about how I would use a back-drop with birds, who typically chew anything they can reach. Is there anybody here who does this, who can give me an idea how you set up? Thanks!

Using a backdrop with birds would be easy. You could go to the fabric store and have your pick, as you wouldn't need a large backdrop.

Then place the bird on a stand about 4-5 feet away from the backdrop and it would look great! The further away from a backdrop, the better it usually looks. I am in heaven when I can move my subjects away from backdrops!

Hi,

This is also what I have done. I go to the fabric store. If you check out my website, you will see that I did a portrait of a parrot some time ago...it was the hardest shoot I have ever done as the parrot was on the move...constantly.

James

Yah, but that's a terrific Amazon pic. They do - they move every single second, unless they are very, very old. But I like the white background. Parrots are so many different colors that you can't count on any other color not being on the bird. My Nanday has a black face, so while the green parts of her would look great on black, I'd lost her head. I often lose her head with just a dark color behind her.

Hi Kit,

Thank you for the compliment. You are correct, the darker backdrop colors don't always do the parrots service - though there are some folks here who have done some excellent work with their parrots on different backdrop. Check for ChrisA's work - it is quite excellent. He had offered me the opportunity to join him on a parrot shoot earlier this year but I was unable to do it with him.

James

The shots are nice, but I personally think that finding a nice natural background is a much nicer than putting a piece of fabric there!

Hey JM,

Welcome aboard. Yes, you are right - natural backgrounds are nice when you can get them. However, there are times (often) when they are also a distraction from the subject at hand. For example, the parrot that I photographed was commissioned by a local pet store. The room was filled with nothing that would compliment the photograph.

I love doing more candid, real-world stuff - I just don't do as much as I would like. Having said that, there is absolutely nothing wrong though with using different backgrounds and limiting the focus to the subject. It all boils down to style and what you are looking for in a portrait.

James