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Say Goodbye to Mediocre Mobile Photos with These Expert Techniques

Published

2 years ago

March 29, 2023

Johnny Somith

Are you tired of scrolling through your phone’s camera roll only to find mediocre and lackluster photos? Look no further! With these expert techniques, you’ll be able to capture stunning mobile photos that will leave your friends and family in awe. From mastering lighting and composition to utilizing editing apps, we’ve got you covered. Say goodbye to blurry selfies and hello to Instagram-worthy shots with these game-changing tips.

Understanding the Camera Settings

If you’re like most mobile users, your photos usually come out mediocre. You can take great shots with a good camera, but often times your phone’s camera just doesn’t cut it. To improve your photos, you need to understand the different camera settings and how to use them. Here are some tips:

1. Use a tripod or a stable surface to take your pictures. A steady hand will make for better photos.

2. Shoot in RAW format if possible. This will give you more control over the image and can be edited more easily.

3. Use a manual setting if you have one available. This allows you to adjust things like shutter speed and ISO independently, which can give you more control over the photo’s quality.

4. Try using HDR photography if possible—this will give your photos an extra boost of brightness and detail.

5. Use filters if you want to add something special to your photo (like a vintage look). Filters can be fun and add an extra layer of creativity to your photos!

Using the Manual Mode

With mobile devices continuing to evolve, more and more people are turning to manual mode in order to take better photos. While there is no one “right” way to do it, these expert techniques will help you capture great photos with your mobile device.

1. Use a Tripod: A tripod can help you keep your phone still while taking a photo, giving you the stability you need to take clear and accurate shots.

2. Shoot in Manual Mode: When shooting in Manual mode, you have complete control over everything from ISO to shutter speed. This gives you the ability to capture stunning images without having to worry about settings that might be too complicated for beginners.

3. Set Your Phone’s Exposure: One of the most important things you can do when taking a photo with your phone is set your phone’s exposure correctly. By adjusting the exposure slider on your phone, you can ensure that your photos come out perfectly light or dark, regardless of how bright or dark the scene is actually lighting up.

4. Use a White Background: When taking a photo of somebody else, using a white background will provide a cleaner look for your photo as opposed to having clothing in the shot. Plus, white backgrounds tend to make people look their best!

5. Take Photos of Yourself: When taking photos of yourself, always try and use natural light if possible – this will give your photos an additional level of sophistication and attractiveness that standard artificial lighting simply cannot duplicate!

Taking Better Photos with Flash

Flash photography has been around for a while, but it can be a bit challenging to get the perfect shot. With these tips, you’ll be taking better photos in no time!

1. Use a Tripod
For the best results, use a tripod for your flash shots. Not only will this ensure that your photo is steady, but it can also reduce the amount of noise in your photo.

2. Get Close to Your Subject
When taking flash shots, it’s important to stay close to your subject. This way, you’ll get a clear picture with less noise.

3. Experiment with Flash Settings
When taking flash shots, experiment with different flash settings to see what works best for your subject and photo. You may find that using a higher setting results in more noise, while using a lower setting will result in cleaner photos.

Mastering Timing and Shooting Modes

If you want to take great mobile photos, mastering timing and shooting modes is essential. Here are four timing tips that will help you take better photos:

1. Wait for the Perfect Moment When Trying to Take a Photo
Don’t try to force a moment by snapping photos too early or too late. The best moments to take a photo are when the subject is at their most natural and relaxed.

2. Use the Right Shooting Mode for the Situation
Different shooting modes work better in different situations. For example, macro mode is perfect for close up shots of items such as flowers, while sports mode is ideal for capturing fast action scenes. Experiment with different shooting modes to find which one fits the situation best.

3. Shoot in Burst Mode if You Can’t Stay Still Enough
Shooting in burst mode helps you capture more images in a short period of time, which can improve your chances of getting a great shot. Just make sure that you don’t shoot too much at once; try to keep your shutter speed consistent throughout the entire burst so that each image has the same exposure value.

4. Use an External Flash When Appropriate
External flashes can add additional light and help you take better shots in low-light conditions. Just be sure to use a flash that is matched to your camera’s output voltage; some cameras have stronger flashes than others.

Creating Stunning Photo Effects with Filters

With the right photo effects, you can turn your average smartphone photo into a stunning work of art. Here are four easy techniques for creating stunning photo effects:

1. Use Vignette Filters to Create Depth and Drama

One of the simplest ways to add depth and drama to your photos is to use vignette filters. These filters darken or lighten portions of an image, creating a sense of depth and distance. Try using a vignette filter to create a dramatic effect in portraits, landscapes, or cityscapes.

2. Turn Your Photos into Artistic Cartoons with Cartoon Effects Filters

Cartoon effects filters give your photos a hand-drawn look inspired by classic cartoons. This technique is perfect for enhancing humorous or playful photos. Try using cartoon effects filters to give your images a whimsical edge.

3. Transform Basic Photos into Beautiful Masterpieces with Photo Retouching Tools

Photo retouching tools can help you transform basic photos into beautiful masterpieces. With powerful tools like distortion correction and skin smoothing, you can erase blemishes, adjust lighting, and more – turning unassuming photos into high-quality works of art.

4. Add Purposeful Highlights and Shadows with Lighting Effects Filters

Conclusion

Mobile photography has come a long way, and with the right techniques you can take amazing photos that will wow your friends and family. From Editing a Photo on Facebook to Correcting Photos for Instagram, these tips will help you take amazing mobile photos that show off your creative side. So go ahead, experiment! And be sure to share your photos with us in the comments below so we can see what you have been up to!

Author

Johnny Somith

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Business industrial

MBTI® Global Step and Step II Certification Program

Published

1 week ago

July 23, 2025

Jeriel.jimo@anahat.in

Anahat Organisation Development Consultancy Private Limited

Joined on 21 Jul 2025

Event Information

Anahat’s 4-day MBTI® Global Step I & Step II Certification Program empowers you with the strategic edge to decode human behaviour, understand personality types, shape teams and leadership, and elevate organizational culture that drives performance.

This certification program is a comprehensive education in the globally respected MBTI®- designed for beginners. It covers Type theory, and key applications of the assessment. This MBTI® Global Step I & Step II Certification Program enables you to apply research-backed insight to tackle key organisational challenges.

The MBTI® instrument is the most widely used personality assessment in the world. More than 2 million assessments are administered to individuals annually. It is used by 89 of the Fortune 100 companies. The MBTI® instrument enables personal and organizational transformation by giving people a powerful tool to improve how they communicate, learn and work. Click here to learn more.

Program Details

The MBTI® Certification program teaches participants how to professionally and ethically administer and interpret the MBTI® instrument. This four- day certification program provides participants instruction in Type theory and key MBTI® applications, broken down into an easily understandable format. During the program you will learn:

•The origins and background of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®, how to successfully administer the assessment to individuals and teams

•Technical aspects of the MBTI® assessment, including information about the construction of the instrument and its reliability and validity How to deliver MBTI® feedback and personality insights to individuals and groups, using the results for personal and team development, coaching, Leader development and more

•An understanding of your personality preferences, and how they affect personal and professional relationships.

•How MBTI® preferences combine dynamically to add depth and understanding to personality differences.

•Practical, ethical, and effective applications of the MBTI® Step &Step assessments.

You will need to pass the qualifying exam after the program. in order to demonstrate adequate understanding of the course material. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be eligible to purchase and use the MBTI® assessments and reports through Anahat. You will also receive a certificate from The Myers-Briggs Company Asia Pacific, indicating your eligibility to use the MBTI® instrument.

Anahat specializes in training and development and is a distributor of psychometric instruments in India. Anahat’s consulting offerings include coaching, OD interventions and training in the areas of leadership, collaboration and change management. Anahat has certified more than 2000 people on the use of instruments such as the MBTI®, FIRO-B®, Stro Interest Inventory, Saville Assessment and CPI2 . Anahat represents The Myers-Briggs Company, the publisher of the MBTI instrument in India. To know more, visit us at www.anahat.in or write to us at info@anahat.in.

The Myers-Briggs Company, based in California, US, is a world leader in personality, career, and organizational development assessments. It is best-known as the publisher of MBTI®, FIRO-B®, C and Strong assessments.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI® Certification Program prepares you to use and interpret the MBTI® instrument. Training in the MBTI® Step assessment provides more in-depth insight into an individual’s personality type and behavior using 20 additional facets. The four-day workshop is highly interactive and provides many opportunities for you to practice presenting the MBTI® instrument and interpreting results in a variety of situations: with groups, with individuals, and in coaching.

The MBTI® Instrument Trusted by 89% of Fortune 100 companies and taken by 2.7 million people every year in more than 20 languages, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) assessment helps people gain insights about themselves and how they interact with others—improving how the communicate, learn, and work.

The MBTI® assessment makes Carl Jung’s theory of psychological type both understandable and highly practical by helping individuals identify their preferences in four areas. Know more about MBTI®.

Why should you be interested in the MBTI® Instrument?

• Versatile and wide range of applications: The MBTI® framework’s versatility makes it very useful across application areas like team building, leadership development, conflict management, stress management, career transitions, and more.

• Well researched, reliable and valid: With over 6decades of research backing it, the MBTI® instrument is very reliable and has been validated across many application areas in the organizational context.

• Simple framework: Simple and easy to understand framework and reports that provide a common language for describing how individuals interact with each other.

Why get certified?

• Gain a better understanding of your and others ‘personality preferences and how they affect personal and professional relationships.

• Deliver effective talent development programs with a greater understanding of your people, organization.

• Help students make better education decisions by understanding their preferences. Teams, and career personality

• Expand your coaching toolkit, so that you can help others be their best.

About the Trainers

*CS Mahesh, Founder Director at Anahat and a Master trainer for MBTI® certification programme, has certified over 2000 professionals in the use of psychometric instruments like the MBTI®, FIRO-B®, Strong®, CPI2, and the SavilleConsulting suite of assessments. He is also certified on the EQ-i 2.0.

Janaki Venkat, Founder Director at Anahat and a Master trainer for MBTI® certification programme, is an executive coach with over 1000 hours of coaching experience. She is also a Master Trainer for psychometric instruments like the Saville Assessments, FIRO-B®, Strong®, CPI2and EQ-i 2.0.

*Please note that either one of Mahesh or Janaki will be the trainer for the programme depending on availability.

Venue

This event is hosted on an Online Platform

You will receive joining details after the registration.

Author

Jeriel.jimo@anahat.in

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Team Communication Software: Operations at Finance Innovate

Published

2 weeks ago

July 16, 2025

Jack Brian

Reviewed
By India Rose

Team Communication Software Transforms Operations at Finance Innovate

Introduction

At Finance Innovate, clear and fast communication is the backbone of success. In a fast‑paced financial world, delays or misunderstandings can cost time and money. That’s why Finance Innovate adopted cutting‑edge team communication software to transform operations and boost productivity. This change not only cut down on email overload but also made real‑time collaboration simple and secure. In this article, we explore how this technology rollout improved project tracking, decision‑making, and client service—demonstrating the power of modern communication tools for finance teams.

The Challenge: Siloed Teams and Slow Responses

Before adopting new software, Finance Innovate faced:

Email Overload: Teams spent hours sorting threads and searching for key updates.
Fragmented Tools: Project notes lived in spreadsheets, chat happened via multiple apps, and documents were scattered across shared drives.
Delayed Decisions: Approvals often took days as stakeholders waited for email replies.
Security Concerns: Sensitive financial data moved through unencrypted channels, raising compliance risks.

These issues slowed product launches, delayed client reports, and strained internal workflows. Leadership knew a dedicated team communication software could unify their processes and transform operations for the better.

Selecting the Right Communication Platform

Defining Key Requirements

Finance Innovate’s IT and operations teams outlined must‑have features:

Real‑Time Messaging: Secure group and direct chats with searchable histories.
Integrated File Sharing: Easy document uploads with granular access controls.
Project Channels: Dedicated spaces for each initiative, from market research to audit prep.
Audio and Video Calls: High‑definition meetings without third‑party apps.
Security and Compliance: End‑to‑end encryption and audit trails to meet finance regulations.
Mobile Accessibility: Full functionality on smartphones for on‑the‑go teams.

Trial and Feedback

After vetting several solutions, Finance Innovate launched a 30‑day pilot of two leading platforms. Small teams in audit, investment analysis, and customer support tested features and reported back on ease of use, reliability, and integration with existing tools like their CRM and document management systems.

Implementation: Rolling Out the Software

Phased Deployment

Rather than a “big bang” approach, Finance Innovate used a phased rollout:

Phase 1 (Weeks 1–4): Onboarded the executive and IT leadership teams. They configured security settings, compliance policies, and single sign‑on integration.
Phase 2 (Weeks 5–8): Extended to finance operations, including accounting and tax groups, with training sessions on channel best practices and file-sharing etiquette.
Phase 3 (Weeks 9–12): Rolled out to customer support and sales teams, who connected the software to the CRM for live update feeds.

Each phase included hands‑on workshops, video tutorials, and dedicated “office hours” for questions, ensuring smooth adoption and high engagement.

Change Management and Training

To foster early buy‑in, Finance Innovate:

Championed Power Users: Selected enthusiastic staff to champion the tool in their teams.
Created Quick‑Start Guides: Short, step‑by‑step handouts highlighting common tasks.
Hosted Monthly Q&A Webinars: Addressed questions, shared tips, and showcased success stories.
Incentivized Adoption: Ran a “Most Active Channel” contest to recognize the teams using the software most effectively.

This careful change management led to over 90% of employees active in the new platform within the first two months.

Transforming Daily Operations

Streamlined Project Management

Project managers set up dedicated channels for each client engagement or internal initiative. In these channels, teams could:

Post real‑time updates on task progress.
Share and annotate budget spreadsheets collaboratively.
Pin important deadlines to the channel header.
Assign follow‑up tasks through built‑in to‑do lists.

This visibility meant everyone knew the project status at a glance, cutting weekly status meetings by 50%.

Faster Decision‑Making

Decision cycles accelerated dramatically:

Instant Polls: Quick votes on investment strategies or policy changes replaced lengthy email discussions.
Quick Approvals: Managers used mobile app notifications to approve invoices or reports on the spot.
Contextual Conversations: Links to client documents and analytics dashboards kept conversations focused and reduced the back‑and‑forth required to resolve questions.

Overall, approval times dropped from an average of three days to under eight hours.

Enhanced Client Service

For client‑facing teams, the software allowed private, secure channels linked to each account. Features included:

Real‑Time Alerts: Automatic notifications when critical market conditions change, so advisors could respond immediately.
Co‑Browsing Sessions: Screen‑share function to walk clients through reports and projections in live meetings.
Centralized Feedback: Client queries and feedback were logged in one place, ensuring no issues slipped through the cracks.

This level of responsiveness boosted client satisfaction scores by 20% within six months.

Measuring the Impact

Finance Innovate tracked key metrics before and after implementation:

Metric	Before	After	Improvement
Email Volume per Employee	150/day	60/day	–60%
Weekly Status Meetings	4 per project	2 per project	–50%
Task Approval Time	72 hours	8 hours	–89%
Client Satisfaction Score	82%	98%	+20%
Cross‑Team Project Delays	25% of projects	5% of projects	–80%

These figures highlight how team communication software can transform operations in measurable ways.

Best Practices for Sustained Success

Maintain Active Governance: Assign a small team to oversee channel creation, naming conventions, and user permissions to prevent clutter.
Encourage Regular Cleanup: Archive outdated channels and remove inactive users to keep the workspace relevant.
Leverage Integrations: Connect calendars, CRM, and document systems to centralize workflows.
Monitor Usage Analytics: Use built‑in dashboards to track engagement and identify training needs.
Foster a Feedback Loop: Regularly survey users for feature requests and pain points, adapting policies as needed.

By following these practices, Finance Innovate ensures the tool remains a vibrant, essential part of its operations.

Overcoming Common Pitfalls

While Finance Innovate’s rollout succeeded, they learned to avoid these common challenges:

Tool Overload: Avoid adding every possible integration at once. Prioritize core workflows first.
Information Silos: Resist creating private channels for every small topic. Instead, group related discussions under broader channels.
Feature Underuse: Promote underused features—like polls or file comments—through demo sessions and success stories.
Security Complacency: Regularly audit third‑party integrations and user access rights to maintain compliance.

The Future of Team Communication at Finance Innovate

Moving forward, Finance Innovate plans to:

Implement AI‑Driven Insights: Use built‑in bots to summarize long threads, flag overdue tasks, and suggest relevant channels.
Expand to Partners: Create partner portals in the software so external firms can collaborate securely on specific projects.
Enhance Mobile Workflows: Roll out new mobile‑first features for advisors working remotely or traveling.
Strengthen Analytics: Leverage advanced reporting to tie communication metrics back to business outcomes like deal velocity and revenue growth.

These steps will deepen the platform’s role in driving innovation and operational excellence.

Conclusion

When Finance Innovate embraced team communication software, it set in motion a transformation that touched every corner of the business. From slashing email volume to accelerating approvals and elevating client service, the right platform delivered clear, measurable gains. However, success relied not just on the technology but on thoughtful planning, phased rollout, and ongoing governance. By defining clear goals, training users, and tracking performance, Finance Innovate turned a communication tool into a competitive advantage. As the finance world grows ever more complex, robust collaboration platforms will continue to transform operations, driving efficiency, agility, and growth for years to come.

Author

Jack Brian

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Online community

Empowering Users: 7 Blockchain Social Media Platforms

Published

2 weeks ago

July 16, 2025

Ethan Daniel

Reviewed
By Gemma Quinn

Empowering Users: 7 Blockchain Social Media Platforms

Introduction

Blockchain social media platforms are changing how we connect and share. These new networks put control back in the hands of users. They reward contributions with tokens and protect privacy through decentralization. In this article, we look at seven top platforms that empower users, boost engagement, and pave the way for a more open social experience.

1. Steemit

Steemit was one of the first blockchain social media platforms. It runs on the Hive blockchain and rewards users with STEEM tokens for posting, commenting, and curating content.

User Rewards: Every upvote translates into STEEM or Steem Power.
Governance: Stakeholders vote on proposals.
Community: Strong focus on blogs, photography, and art.

Steemit shows how decentralized social networks can align user incentives with platform growth.

2. Minds

Minds blends familiar social features with blockchain rewards. It uses the Ethereum network to power its token economy.

Freedom of Speech: Open-source code and minimal censorship.
Token Rewards: Earn MINDS tokens for contributions and engagement.
Paid Subscriptions: Support creators by subscribing with tokens.

By giving creators another revenue stream, Minds illustrates how blockchain can make social media more sustainable for users.

3. BIT.TUBE (Now AIOZ Network)

Originally BIT.TUBE, this platform became part of the AIOZ Network. It rewards users for watching video content and sharing bandwidth.

Video Streaming: Peer-to-peer video delivery backed by blockchain.
Token Model: Earn AIOZ tokens for viewing and hosting content.
Decentralization: No single point of failure for content delivery.

This model shows that blockchain can take on heavy media workloads while rewarding all participants fairly.

4. Lens Protocol

Lens Protocol is not a full platform but a set of open APIs on the Polygon blockchain. Developers can build decentralized social apps on top of it.

Composable: Mix and match features from different apps.
On-chain Profiles: Profiles and relationships are recorded on Polygon.
Interoperability: Follow someone on one app and appear followed on another.

Lens Protocol highlights how shared data layers can power a new generation of decentralized social networks.

5. Peepeth

Peepeth is a blockchain microblogging platform that offers a cleaner, more intentional take on social updates. It runs on Ethereum.

Immutable Posts: Every “peep” is recorded on-chain.
Temperance: Designed to discourage spam and impulsive reactions.
Tips: Users can tip peers with ETH for valuable posts.

Peepeth shows that less can be more—and that blockchain can bring greater accountability to social posts.

6. Friend.tech

Friend.tech blends social tokens with a simple interface. Based on the Solana blockchain, it turned user handles into tradeable assets.

Social Tokens: Buy “shares” in a user’s account to unlock private content.
High Speed: Solana’s fast and low-cost transactions.
Engagement: Gamified tokens drive active participation.

By letting communities directly fund creators, Friend.tech exemplifies how blockchain social media platforms can redefine monetization.

7. Sapien

Sapien is a Web3 social news platform that rewards meaningful contributions and curates authentic signals. It’s built on Ethereum.

Reputation System: Earn SPN tokens for quality posts and curation.
Custom Feeds: Filter content by interest and user-generated tags.
Governance: Token holders vote on platform changes.

Sapien underlines how blockchain networks can foster richer discussion and give users a real stake in platform evolution.

How These Platforms Empower Users

Across these seven platforms, common themes emerge:

Ownership of Data: Users own their profiles, posts, and social graphs on-chain.
Token Incentives: Contributions earn tokens, turning engagement into real value.
Censorship Resistance: Decentralized architecture limits single-point control.
Open Governance: Token holders shape platform rules together.

This shift from centralized control to community-driven networks is the essence of user empowerment in blockchain social media.

Benefits and Challenges

Benefits

Fair Rewards: Creators and curators get a share of the platform’s growth.
Privacy and Security: Blockchain’s cryptography keeps data safe.
Innovation: Open-source protocols spark new social app ideas.

Challenges

Scalability: Public blockchains can struggle with high traffic.
User Experience: Wallet setup and token management add friction.
Regulation: Token rewards may face legal scrutiny in some regions.

By tackling these hurdles, developers can unlock even greater potential for decentralized social networks.

The Future of Decentralized Social Networks

The landscape of blockchain social media platforms is evolving fast. We can expect:

Layer-2 Solutions: Faster, cheaper transactions will enhance scalability.
Cross-Chain Bridges: Users may move assets and profiles across multiple blockchains.
More User Tools: Simplified wallets and better onboarding will lower barriers.
Diverse Content: Beyond text and images, we’ll see VR/AR and live streaming integrated on-chain.

As these trends take shape, user empowerment will become more tangible and widespread.

Conclusion

Blockchain social media platforms are reshaping the way we connect, share, and earn online. By combining decentralization, token incentives, and community governance, they give power back to the people. From Steemit’s pioneering rewards to Lens Protocol’s open APIs, each platform offers unique features that drive user empowerment. While challenges remain around scalability and ease of use, ongoing innovations promise to overcome these limits. As more users seek privacy, fair rewards, and true data ownership, decentralized social networks will continue to grow and redefine our digital social fabric.

What will you build or share on these new platforms? Start exploring today and join the next wave of social media innovation.