Fourth of July!!  Time for BBQ, hot dogs, watermelon, Star-Spangled Banner and...FIREWORKS!  I just love getting great images of fireworks, but I don't always want to lug my big camera around.  However, it is possible to get really good images of the fireworks with just your smartphone!  

Here are a few tips to help you get the best images of this year's fireworks display:

• First - turn OFF the flash!  You don't need it!  I know - it may seem counterintuitive because it is dark outside, but trust me!  The fireworks are bright enough.  In fact, you want a nice dark sky so that the fireworks pop.  

• Decrease your brightness or exposure.  You want to be slightly underexposed (a little bit darker) - again, so the fireworks pop!

• Consider using a tripod, if possible.  If you don't have one, you can try resting your phone on a level and stable surface.  This will allow you to slow your shutterspeed down.  A slower shutterspeed means awesome long trails!  However, you can hand-hold a phone and still get good slow shutterspeed images, just realize you may get a bit of blur. (Which honestly can be beautiful sometimes - especially with fireworks.)

• If your phone has an HDR feature - give it a try!  HDR takes several quick images at slightly different exposures and combines them into one image. This usually results in a well-exposed and very cool image!

• Give "Burst Mode" a try!  Burst mode allows your phone to take a series of quick images (as long as you hold down the shutter).  Then you can pick the best one or two from the series.  OR you could try making a GIF!

• Finally, watch your location for other light sources that might fall into your frame and either detract from your image or mess with your sensor.  Move your location or be prepared to crop out these lights.  

And, hey...here's one more bonus tip: Clear out your phone's storage before you head out to the firework show!!  Nothing worse than getting that "Storage Full" right in the middle of a great fireworks display.

Have a Happy and Safe Fourth of July!