Yeah, possible things weren't burning quite hot enough, or a bit incomplete of a burn...
Can't see the iPhone pics, but try this on the next round:
Sprinkle some small chips of lump charcoal (or even break up some briquettes if no lump's on hand) along the pile for 'burn insurance'.....you may get a stubborn piece of wood here & there, but it will go generally smoother this way...
Nice even burn produces nice even cooking & even color....
If your burn point is small, yet hot at that point, the wood smoke should look like this:
Transparent lite bluish whispy smoke..........