coloured smoke

i don't even know where to start.
lets begin with the device that has brought me so much joy and now untold stress. thats right my camera or the new slr to be precise.

don't misunderstand me i am very happy with my purchase but noone thought to mention the suffering we must endure to try and get that perfect shot. well todays blip is FAR from perfect but it will have to do.

you can probably tell it's the old capture the smoke shot which is nothing new. WELL IT IS TO ME so cut me some slack. i blame the digital camera magazine i picked up today which explained how to do it all very simply. to be fair it really isn't that difficult...............when you have the right equipment.

Let me give an example instead of a flash gun i had to set the timer on my old point and click and then go back to the slr and time the shutter press with the flash on the other camera...........still with me? good. i had to press the shutter manually as i do not have a remote for it. there was also the tri-pod issue, in that i don't actually have one. i did try and construct a simple affair but it was no good so this was done hand held.
so every time i went to take a shot i had to set the focus on the slr manually, turn on the timer on the poiint and click, turn off the lights, go back and pick up the slr, hope to whatever god may be listening that it was in focus and then try to time the flash/shutter press. this system took it's toll and i wouldn't have minded if i had produced something better.
still at least i know the items i shall be looking to get next.

please feel free to comment on this. particularly any tips or advice on how to improve it. seriously i can't get better without the criticism so go ahead. do your worst.

here is the link to the original image and a couple of close runners