Choose a pumpkin that is smooth as possible, and free of scratches, dents or gouges, unless you plan to incorporate them into your finished design. You can make the transferred dots of your pattern easier to see by rubbing flour into them. The flour will fill the holes and turn them white. To remove cut pieces, push them out from the inside with your finger or a poker. To make removing large pieces easier, and to avoid damage to your design, cut them into smaller chunks before trying to remove them.
Toothpicks are good for adding extra features like ears or noses.
If you're having trouble with your candles going out, try using a small oil-burning lamp or liquid candle. Plant Hangers make a great way of displaying jack o lanterns. A wonderfully spooky display is to use several plant hangers of different lengths in a grouping, so that in the dark, it looks like several glowing faces floating in mid air. Photographing Jack O Lanterns is a bit tricky. A flash won't work, but if the candle in the pumpkin is the only light source, the photo will only show the design and not the pumpkin.