Red-rumped Parrot

Red-rumped Parrot (Image ID 70612)
Photographed byPeter Clarke on Sun 7th Sep, 2025 and uploaded on same date.
Resolution1800x1200
Viewed388
ID70612
CommentTricky for me because of how busy the foliage was and the birds were on the move. But lovely to see this pair together.

I am interested in any general feedback however particularly when the background is so prominent whether to mask it and blur it more. Subjective I guess. I prefer a natural / realistic style and don't love it when photos get too much into the artsy territory, if that makes sense.
EquipmentExposure time : 1 / 500
FNumber : 6.3
Focal Length : 135
ISO Speed Ratings : 400
LensModel : E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
Make : SONY
Model : ILCE-6700
Software : Adobe Lightroom 10.4.2 (iOS)
LocationHawthorn, Victoria
Keywordsmale, female
You already have an outstanding request to download this image for non-commercial purposes. You may cancel this request by clicking on the button below and waiting for confirmation that your request has been noted. When you have selected all the images that you require, go to 'My Download Requests' (under Photo Gallery) and submit your request by clicking 'Edit/Submit' and filling out the details. You will be advised of the result by email. Note that cookies MUST be enabled for this to work.
You may request download of this image for non-commercial purposes. A request that meets the usage rights of this image will be automatically approved; a request that does not meet the usage rights will be refused, but may (at the Download Manager's discretion) be referred to the photographer. The usage rights of this image are: Any non-commercial educational or conservation use by any requestor, excluding personal use. For further details of image usage rights, see here. Request the image by clicking on the button below and waiting for confirmation that your request has been noted. When you have selected all the images that you require, go to 'My Download Requests' (under Photo Gallery) and submit your request by clicking 'Edit/Submit' and filling out the details. You will be advised of the result by email. Note that cookies MUST be enabled for this to work.
Glenn Pure2025-09-10 13:30:00Good questions Peter, and ones most of us have contemplated with our own photos. It is subjective to a substantial degree, as you indicate and depends on the 'look' and mood you wish to create. In that regard, one of the most important things you can do is to develop your skills with both camera composition and exposure and using tools in your processing software to be in control of the results that come out, not the other way around. Another key thing to do is look at lots of photos by other people and try to analyse what you like or don't like about each so you can start working on your own photos with a clearer idea in mind of how you want them to look. It's also worth reading up on things like composition as there are tried and tested things that tend to work most of the time and are pleasing or engaging for others looking at your work.

For a shot like this, I'd be inclined to 'go with the flow' and not try to undo the fact that the background is busy. I doubt you'd be able to successfully reduce this anyway without creating some weird effects. My main suggestion would be to play with the lighting adjustments. In this case, I'd first try making the shot a little brighter, reducing shadows and highlights especially if you can do this selectively on the background. If the birds were brighter they will potentially stand out more.

Composition would also help. If the birds were closer to the centre and cropped a bit more (if the quality doesn't degrade excessively as a result), the birds will stand out more. It would be ideal if the female's tail wasn't cut off too.

So hop in and have a play and see where you end up.
ApertureFNumber COMPUTED f/6.3
Make IFD0 SONY
Model IFD0 ILCE-6700
Software IFD0 Adobe Lightroom 10.4.2 (iOS)
ExposureTime EXIF 1/500
FNumber EXIF F6.3
ExposureProgram EXIF Manual
ISOSpeedRatings EXIF 400
DateTimeOriginal EXIF 2025:09:07 15:43:49
ShutterSpeedValue (APEX 8.9657839928593) EXIF 1/500
ApertureValue (APEX 5.3107039964542) EXIF F6
ExposureBiasValue EXIF 0
MaxApertureValue (APEX 4.96875) EXIF F6
MeteringMode EXIF Pattern
LightSource EXIF unknown
Flash EXIF Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
FocalLength EXIF 135mm
ExposureMode EXIF Manual Exposure
WhiteBalance EXIF Automatic White Balance
LensModel EXIF E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
Previous311/330 in Critique GalleryNext
Previous7/10 by Peter ClarkeNext
Previous185/212 of Red-rumped ParrotNext
Previous2305/2571 of Parrots, Lorikeets and RosellasNext
Previous39494/44033 OverallNext
Use the arrows at the left and Right hand side of this page to display the Next/Previous photographs in that group, or click on one of the blue links above to start a slide show in that group (group slide shows are only allowed if there are less than 1000 images in the group).