Figured I'd add this in here:

I was at walmart today looking for a hooded CC and dio goodies when I stumbled through a clearance isle. There were Dora Explorer sets that had an ellegant looking table and a few chairs. Obvious repaint aside I though they could be used for Castle Destro or whathaveyou. Just thought I'd pass the word along.

Money Shot.
 

I couldn't agree more with this. Pru I know exactly what you mean. when the shot's so clear and the lighting is right.. It's worth setting up and so worth it when you get to recreate your adventures on your cpu screen!! :D

Playing around with the lighting on night shots is so much fun! Multiple light sources, and different coloured lights can impart some awesome moods into a picture.

Some of you guys need to do a "How-To" about how you do these sets. A "Behind the Scenes" thing. The "How-to" section is getting a bit Dusty!

Working on it ender, but it's a double edged sword. The last time I shared the technique of using craft papers, foamboard, and dollhouse items, a few of my customers as well as the casually interested made "How-To's" purporting to have originated the concept, or worse, said they built the diorama I have fashioned for them.

Stuff like that stings a bit, you know? I know it's not rocket science, but it would be the height of good manners to at least acknowledge when a brain is picked and an idea perpetuated.

But I am working on it, because I was driven by the enormity of the thing I saw on the Lord of the Rings extras. The techniques they used were the exact same one I do, and I imagine that the commission for such large sets like Minas Tirith and Rivendell, were lucrative. So I figured a few "How-To"'s would enable all of us to get to that station, where we can be appreciated for our craft and compensated for our talents.

Look at the guys on Robot Chicken. Their sets are sometimes better, yet, I have seen work from many of you that is far exemplary than theirs.

One never knows what can happen.