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Feather Heart CreationsI didn't know where to post this because it's kinda about bears but not about making them 
Anyway does anyone use a Photo Tent when taking pictures of their bears or other creations? I can never seam to get my pictures to look right (like I always say "I'm an artist not a photographer" ) I thought a photo tent might help. Or does anyone else have any tips on taking pictures? I've tried inside & outside, different color backgrounds and setting & nothing seams to help.
Tuppies TeddiesAll I use is an outside spot, usually undercover but with good light coming from the right side. I use a piece of brown velvet as the background and then I start snapping, I have the prop the bear is sitting on at camera height or my eye height so I am looking directly at the bear...works most times...
Swan Valley BearsI know some people have purchased the photo tents but I like to have access from the sides to fuss with the bear during the photo session, so I built a box frame out of pvc pipe (about 32 inches square). I use clamp on lights but they were always falling over so I made stands for them out of pvc pipe and place two on each side. Two shorter stands, closer to the backdrop ( shorter ones aren't in the picture below, they're in the garage being shortened a little more), two taller ones towards the front and one in front on top of the frame (still has to be clamped to the frame). The backdrop is draped from the back of the frame.
I usually have it on a table, but I had to take it down to make room for construction of a new room. I can't wait to get my table back because I practically have to lay on the floor to take pictures now.
Here's a picture of it, but the two shorter lights in the back aren't there right now. (They're in the garage right now being shortened a little more.) My camera isn't on the tripod because I'm using it to take the picture.
I use a "home made" photo box, as I did buy a light tent, and found it was great for little bears, but not enough room for biggies! I found the Teddy Talk library on photography fabulous for helping me with photographs. It has some great information in it about lighting, camera settings etc. I knew nothing about digital photography, and so I printed out all the info and went over and over it until it sunk in!!! I think it is just practice with your camera that helps.
Feather Heart CreationsI use a "home made" photo box, as I did buy a light tent, and found it was great for little bears, but not enough room for biggies! I found the Teddy Talk library on photography fabulous for helping me with photographs. It has some great information in it about lighting, camera settings etc. I knew nothing about digital photography, and so I printed out all the info and went over and over it until it sunk in!!! I think it is just practice with your camera that helps.
Oh where is the library on photography at? I can't seam to find it LOL Yea I had the same thought that the photo tent would be good for small bears but not for anything over 10" It's so funny how the prices go on theses things too a 12" X 12" photo tent is only about $10 to $20 a 16" X 16" is $40 to $100? So I might just look into building something.
Thanks so much Patty! That's a great little set up & I think I could get my hubby to make me something like that 
Swan Valley BearsTowards the top of the screen there's a drop down menu for the library. There's a section on photography.
Pandy Potter BearsI made one from a fold down mesh laundry bin. I took the mesh off and covered the sides with white translucent fabric. I also have a camera with white balance and macro. The white balance is a major benefit. I'm not as good as the camera would let me be, but I'm lazy at reading instructions. 
I take all my pics outside and hope for a good day 
I have no luck with a photo tent either. I can never get the lighting right and I even adjust the white balance. I think it takes practice getting the camera settings right. I'm just not patient enough 
Here is a where you can find the library of past topics.
