Scribble

Edmund Lowe captured this <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-996606">stunning photo</a> over Legoe Bay, Washington, in 2011. "I never get tired of the Fourth of July," he said. "I have many fond memories of growing up in the '60s, gathering with our neighbors along the street and making it a competition to see who had the most spectacular display." See his fireworks photo tips in the story below.

Fabulous fireworks for the Fourth of July —

Edmund Lowe captured this stunning photo over Legoe Bay, Washington, in 2011. "I never get tired of the Fourth of July," he said. "I have many fond memories of growing up in the '60s, gathering with our neighbors along the street and making it a competition to see who had the most spectacular display." See his fireworks photo tips in the story below.

Courtesy Edmund Lowe

Fabulous fireworks for the Fourth of July —

Tyler Knott took this photo on July 4, 2009, of family and friends light painting "July 4" in Helena, Montana. He says despite the challenges -- each sparkler-holder had to draw a letter backwards -- they nailed the photo on the first try.

Courtesy Tyler Knott Gregoson

Biju Chandroth snapped this great shot at a Fourth of July <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-998963">fireworks display</a> at Mammoth Lakes, California, in 2011. "I love taking [pictures of] fireworks [but] it's quite tricky," he says. "One absolutely needs a tripod, since you will have to use a slow shutter to get the trails."

Fabulous fireworks for the Fourth of July —

Biju Chandroth snapped this great shot at a Fourth of July fireworks display at Mammoth Lakes, California, in 2011. "I love taking [pictures of] fireworks [but] it's quite tricky," he says. "One absolutely needs a tripod, since you will have to use a slow shutter to get the trails."

Courtesy Biju Chandroth

Dan Anderson managed to capture the moment his nephew <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-996552">launched a bottle rocket</a> across Minnesota's Lake Koronis, during Fourth of July 2012. They had carefully prepared everything to take the perfect photo, counting the seconds it took from lighting the fuse to the explosion of the firework and arranging the camera on a tripod. "We did it in one take and then ran away because the mosquitoes were eating us alive," Anderson says.

Fabulous fireworks for the Fourth of July —

Dan Anderson managed to capture the moment his nephew launched a bottle rocket across Minnesota's Lake Koronis, during Fourth of July 2012. They had carefully prepared everything to take the perfect photo, counting the seconds it took from lighting the fuse to the explosion of the firework and arranging the camera on a tripod. "We did it in one take and then ran away because the mosquitoes were eating us alive," Anderson says.

Courtesy Dan Anderson

Fabulous fireworks for the Fourth of July —

Anderson also took this photo of the St. Paul, Minnesota, 2011 Fourth of July show. Location is important when shooting fireworks: "One of the best places to watch Fourth of July fireworks in Minnesota is from the Smith Avenue High Bridge that... has a beautiful view of downtown St. Paul's fireworks show," he said.

Courtesy Dan Anderson

Fabulous fireworks for the Fourth of July —

Cat Connor from Big Pines, California, knew the shot she wanted from the fireworks display for Fourth of July. "It's taken me years to get a good shot," she said. "I very much planned for it -- the year before didn't come out as well, so I studied up on how to shoot fireworks, read photographer blogs and got to know my equipment. It's a learning experience." The result is a stunning, fitting memory of a lovely day -- and one she definitely got right.

Courtesy Cat Connor

Fabulous fireworks for the Fourth of July —

Fitness instructor Tracy Bond loves the "buzz" of Independence Day -- and the spectacular celebrations. "A day off of work for many, picnics, maybe some time at the pool or lake -- and of course, at the end of the day, sonic booms followed by shimmering, multi-colored fire bringing oohs and aahs from young and old. What's not to like?" she says.

Courtesy Tracy Bond

Fabulous fireworks for the Fourth of July —

Bond, in Huntsville, Alabama, confesses to not thinking she's a good enough photographer to provide tips -- although we beg to differ! -- but says if in doubt, shoot. "I usually shoot until a get one I like," she says. "Experiment with different settings and see what you get."

Courtesy Tracy Bond

Andrew Cohen captured this photo at the 2013 Ocean Township, New Jersey, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-999985">fireworks show</a> on July 3. His tips for the perfect shot? "Must use tripod, (it helps to use) remote control, and keep shooting."

Fabulous fireworks for the Fourth of July —

Andrew Cohen captured this photo at the 2013 Ocean Township, New Jersey, fireworks show on July 3. His tips for the perfect shot? "Must use tripod, (it helps to use) remote control, and keep shooting."

Courtesy Andrew Cohen

Marie Sager shot these <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-997414">lovely fireworks</a> in 2010 in Studio City, California, on the CBS studio lot. She used a Panasonic Lumix, which to her surprise, had a "fireworks" setting.

Fabulous fireworks for the Fourth of July —

Marie Sager shot these lovely fireworks in 2010 in Studio City, California, on the CBS studio lot. She used a Panasonic Lumix, which to her surprise, had a "fireworks" setting.

Courtesy Marie Sager

Fabulous fireworks for the Fourth of July —

Sager's advice for those keen to capture great shots is simple: "With fireworks, you never know what to expect, so keep on clicking!" she says. "Everything I photograph is usually straight from the hip, not planned. And I end up usually surprised myself."

Courtesy Marie Sager

Scott Murphy took this photo of fireworks over <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-997299">San Diego's downtown skyline</a> in 2011. He likes to shoot them every year. In 2012, he wasn't able to photograph the show, but then "it was the infamous firework show bust, where a technical fault caused the fireworks to explode at the same time," he recalls. "Secretly, I was happy because it wouldn't have mattered if I was there or not."

Fabulous fireworks for the Fourth of July —

Scott Murphy took this photo of fireworks over San Diego's downtown skyline in 2011. He likes to shoot them every year. In 2012, he wasn't able to photograph the show, but then "it was the infamous firework show bust, where a technical fault caused the fireworks to explode at the same time," he recalls. "Secretly, I was happy because it wouldn't have mattered if I was there or not."

Courtesy Scott Murphy