author, I am sorry if this sounds harsh, but as this scene was not going to go anywhere fast, do you not think you could have set this 'shot' up a little better, to give it some artistic appearance rather than that of a 'snap' of a rubbish bin with an incense stick poking out of it!!

Look at lighting, contrast, angles etc..........all these things contribute to a well composed shot. There are many tutorials in the archives here for you to look at and learn from.........go see them, and try again.

agrees

Sorry , but i have to agree

everything is blurry.

Author: I think you had a good idea. But it is difficult to get good smoke images this way, I think. Even if you are using a point and shoot and/or don't have a lot of equipment you can try some variation of this: http://www.flickr.com/groups/technique/discuss/72157594252051944/

As far as setting up the composition, I would try a little harder.