So far, my reskinning has been based on recolouring things and chopping in other peoples textures, or taking them from the web.

How are new textures acquired? For instance, if I wanted to get a new Waffen SS camo texture, should I go and find a real one and take a picture?

I'm thinking of going to a re-enactment event in October, but I wanted to hear how you all create your textures...

Use photo re-sources and re-touch to suit or if needed re-create from scratch in photoshop.

so its not worth it to take a digital camera and photograph actual kit?

On the texture side...all I can really suggest is finding tutorials and such to help along the way and help you learn a bit more about how skinning works.

And the reenactment...I highly suggest taking camera equipment to get photographs. It's a great way to learn about the equipment and get great detail shots.

This is a great site for tutorials...Just look around and you'll be able to find something.
Good Tutorials (http://www.good-tutorials.com)

Photographs can be good as a base depending on how you photograph them. Thing is you have to re-work them a lot so that they it into the model well and dont just look like, well, photographs.