Taking pictures of your birds for appraisal

by the Cuckoo Stud
The opinions and ideas expressed here are the authors and meant as a guide only.

When taking pictures one needs to have a neutral background (pale blue preferred) but can be extremely pale grey

Make a pen that is open to the front but enclosed on 3 sides and has a top – it must be large enough to comfortably hold your largest bird with space enough for it to take a few steps freely within the confines
Also allowing enough space for long tailed birds (Phoenix, Yokohamas etc)
Phoenix have to have a tall pen (abt 2mts high) with a stand (cockatoo stands work well) so that the tail drapes but can still be in the shot – often you will have to train these birds to stay calmly on the perch

Peacocks and Turkeys have to have a wide pen (YES they can be trained to stand calmly in a picture pen)

Tack a tape measure onto the leading edge of one wall, this will show the size of the bird – it MUST be a large print tape measure to show clearly enough in the pictures or simply place a coke can in the picture pen (off to one side) with the bird. Noting however that most birds play with a can and you rarely get good pictures using this method.
The accurate weight and where possible the age of the bird should also be included with pictures for accurate appraisal

Ensure the bird is allowed a bit of grain to help it to settle and become accustomed to the pen and is calm and well at ease BEFORE you attempt to take pictures
This is an essential component for success
If possible have the pen placed so that natural bright light can enter otherwise use the flash facility

Watch the bird for a few minutes so you can ‘read’ it before starting to take pictures
Allow the bird to move freely within the picture pen – DO NOT attempt to position the bird, this is regularly done at shows to 'get' pictures however the 'at the show picture' is not always a desirable one. Some on the other hand, are the best pictures you will ever get of your bird.

BEFORE taking the first picture =
Enforce the PATIENCE policy upon yourself as this is an essential part of the exercise, take a deep breath and expect to sit patiently and quietly for some minutes in order to get the best pictures

Take a number of pictures =
Full side shot of BOTH sides showing the entire bird including comb AND legs and feet preferably when the bird is fully sideways to the camera

Full front shot to show depth of chest ensuring to show head, legs and feet

A shot at a slight angle to show the character (head slightly tilted / jaunty stance etc) of the bird (angle at your discretion)

Then have another person handle the bird and carefully spread each wing separately and take pictures of both

Shot of the back showing the entire length of the bird from beak to tip of tail

A shot like this with both wings out-spread is advantageous as well

Close-up of feet and legs – in 5 toed/feathered etc legs/feet ensure all toes/feathers are in the shot, and take one shot from the front of the top of the foot another from the underside (ensure the feet are clean of course)

A close-up profile (head) shot from both sides showing comb and wattles clearly - ensure NO blurriness

A close-up of head from the front showing the comb and wattles clearly
(you may need to test photograph for these close-up shots)

After a few times you will be able to quickly and easily take shots (potentially exceptional shots) of your birds


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