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Geeky Gadgets
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Geeky Gadgets
25 Midjourney 7 Photo & Film SREF Styles : To Create Cinematic and Artistic Masterpieces
What if you could transform your creative projects into stunning visual masterpieces with just a few clicks? With the introduction of Midjourney 7's 25 Photo and Film SREF styles, this isn't just a possibility—it's a reality. These carefully designed style references don't merely emulate photography and cinematic aesthetics; they redefine them. Imagine crafting visuals that capture the emotional depth of a film still, the nostalgic charm of vintage photography, or the surreal beauty of a dreamscape. Whether you're a filmmaker, photographer, or digital creator, Midjourney 7 offers a versatile toolkit to elevate your storytelling and artistic vision. Thaeyne explores how 25 Midjourney styles unlock new dimensions of creativity. From the cinematic realism that brings scenes to life with breathtaking authenticity to the experimental surrealism that pushes the boundaries of imagination, each style is a gateway to endless possibilities. You'll also discover how to harness lighting, color grading, and textural effects to craft visuals that resonate deeply with your audience. Whether you're chasing the elegance of editorial photography or the whimsy of playful compositions, this guide will inspire you to reimagine what's possible in your creative work. After all, isn't the essence of art its ability to surprise, move, and transform? Midjourney 7 Style Guide Exploring Cinematic Realism Cinematic realism is a cornerstone of Midjourney 7, designed to replicate the authenticity and emotional depth of film stills. This approach integrates natural textures, depth of field, and lens effects, resulting in visuals that feel both polished and lifelike. Key features include: Portraits: Sharp details combined with soft background blur create a professional, lifelike effect. Sharp details combined with soft background blur create a professional, lifelike effect. Scenes: Realistic lighting and textures add depth, making visuals immersive and emotionally resonant. This style is ideal for projects that aim to evoke emotional depth while maintaining visual clarity, making it a powerful tool for storytelling and professional imagery. Reviving Nostalgia with Vintage Aesthetics For those captivated by the charm of analog photography, Midjourney 7's vintage styles offer a nostalgic journey into the past. These styles are designed to evoke the imperfections and warmth of historical photography through elements such as: Grainy Textures: Mimicking the unique imperfections of old film cameras. Mimicking the unique imperfections of old film cameras. Sepia Tones: Infusing visuals with a timeless, historical ambiance. Infusing visuals with a timeless, historical ambiance. Muted Palettes: Creating understated elegance and subtle emotional resonance. These aesthetics are particularly effective for projects that celebrate the beauty of imperfection or aim to tell stories rooted in history or retro themes. 25 Midjourney 7 Photo & Film SREF styles Watch this video on YouTube. Gain further expertise in Midjourney 7 by checking out these recommendations. Surreal and Experimental Styles: Pushing Creative Boundaries Midjourney 7 excels in fostering creativity through its surreal and experimental styles, which blur the lines between reality and imagination. These styles are perfect for users seeking to explore unconventional aesthetics and include: Dreamlike Compositions: Merging fantastical elements with lifelike details to create otherworldly visuals. Merging fantastical elements with lifelike details to create otherworldly visuals. Bold Color Grading: Using exaggerated hues to craft striking, imaginative imagery. Using exaggerated hues to craft striking, imaginative imagery. Hyperreal Features: Amplifying realism to a surreal level, creating visuals that captivate and intrigue. These styles are particularly suited for projects that demand whimsy, creativity, or a departure from traditional aesthetics, offering endless possibilities for artistic exploration. Mastering Lighting and Color Grading Lighting and color grading are essential tools in shaping the mood and atmosphere of any visual. Midjourney 7 provides a diverse range of options to help you achieve your desired effect, including: Chiaroscuro Lighting: Highlighting dramatic contrasts between light and shadow for a cinematic effect. Highlighting dramatic contrasts between light and shadow for a cinematic effect. Neon Effects: Adding a vibrant, futuristic edge to your visuals. Adding a vibrant, futuristic edge to your visuals. Color Palettes: Options such as teal-orange for cinematic warmth or pastel tones for a softer, dreamlike feel. By experimenting with these techniques, you can create visuals that are atmospheric, futuristic, or deeply cinematic, tailored to your narrative goals. Diverse Styles for Every Creative Vision The stylistic diversity of Midjourney 7 ensures that it caters to a wide array of creative needs. Some standout options include: Retro-Futuristic Aesthetics: Combining vintage charm with modern innovation for a unique visual appeal. Combining vintage charm with modern innovation for a unique visual appeal. Editorial Photography: Delivering polished, sophisticated visuals ideal for professional projects. Delivering polished, sophisticated visuals ideal for professional projects. Playful Styles: Featuring bold colors and unconventional compositions for creative experimentation. This versatility allows you to adapt your visuals to suit any narrative, whether sleek and professional or vibrant and imaginative. Practical Applications: Realism, Atmosphere, and Storytelling The 25 SREF styles in Midjourney 7 are designed to meet a wide range of creative demands. Their practical applications include: Realistic Portraits: Using sharp details and natural textures to achieve lifelike results. Using sharp details and natural textures to achieve lifelike results. Atmospheric Scenes: Using advanced lighting and textural effects to craft immersive environments. Using advanced lighting and textural effects to craft immersive environments. Cinematic Storytelling: Creating visuals that feel like frames from a film, enhancing narrative depth. Whether you are working on personal projects or professional campaigns, these styles provide the flexibility and precision needed to bring your creative ideas to life. Customization Tips: Tailoring Styles to Your Vision To fully unlock the potential of Midjourney 7, customization is key. By tailoring the styles to your specific needs, you can create visuals that stand out and align perfectly with your artistic goals. Consider these tips: Combine Techniques: Pair lighting effects with specific color palettes to craft a unique mood. Pair lighting effects with specific color palettes to craft a unique mood. Layer Aesthetics: Blend surreal elements with vintage styles for striking contrasts and depth. Blend surreal elements with vintage styles for striking contrasts and depth. Experiment with Prompts: Adjust style codes and prompts to refine and perfect your results. By fine-tuning these elements, you can push the boundaries of creativity and produce visuals that are both innovative and impactful. Media Credit: Thaeyne Filed Under: AI, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Forbes
22-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
AI Just Hit A Paywall As The Web Reacts To Cloudflare's Flip
Stop AI from scraping data for free As someone who has spent years building partnerships between tech innovators and digital creators, I've seen how difficult it can be to balance visibility and value. Every week, I meet with founders and business leaders trying to figure out how to stand out, monetize content, and keep control of their digital assets. They're proud of what they've built but increasingly worried that AI systems are consuming their work without permission, credit, or compensation. That's why Cloudflare's latest announcement hit like a thunderclap. And I wanted to wait to see the responses from companies and creators to really tell this story. Cloudflare, one of the internet's most important infrastructure companies, now blocks AI crawlers by default for all new customers. This flips the longstanding model, where crawlers were allowed unless actively blocked, into something more deliberate: AI must now ask to enter. And not just ask. Pay. Cloudflare wants AI Companies to pay for the data that they use. Alongside that change, Cloudflare has launched Pay‑Per‑Crawl, a new marketplace that allows website owners to charge AI companies per page crawled. If you're running a blog, a digital magazine, a startup product page, or even a knowledge base, you now have the option to set a price for access. AI bots must identify themselves, send payment, and only then can they index your content. This isn't a routine product update. It's a signal that the free ride for AI training data is ending and a new economic framework is beginning. AI Models and Their Training The core issue behind this shift is how AI models are trained. Large language models like OpenAI's GPT or Anthropic's Claude rely on huge amounts of data from the open web. They scrape everything, including articles, FAQs, social posts, documentation, even Reddit threads, to get smarter. But while they benefit, the content creators see none of that upside. Unlike traditional search engines that drive traffic back to the sites they crawl, generative AI tends to provide full answers directly to users, cutting creators out of the loop. According to Cloudflare, the data is telling: OpenAI's crawl-to-referral ratio is around 1,700 to 1. Anthropic's is 73,000 to 1. Compare that to Google, which averages about 14 crawls per referral, and the imbalance becomes clear. In other words, AI isn't just learning from your content but it's monetizing it without ever sending users back your way. Rebalancing the AI Equation Cloudflare's announcement aims to rebalance this equation. From now on, when someone signs up for a new website using Cloudflare's services, AI crawlers are automatically blocked unless explicitly permitted. For existing customers, this is available as an opt-in. More importantly, Cloudflare now enables site owners to monetize their data through Pay‑Per‑Crawl. AI bots must: Only then will the content be served. We have to rebalance the AI equation. This marks a turning point. Instead of AI companies silently harvesting the web, they must now enter into economic relationships with content owners. The model is structured like a digital toll road and this road leads to your ideas, your writing, and your value. Several major publishers are already onboard. According to Neiman Lab, Gannett, Condé Nast, The Atlantic, BuzzFeed, Time, and others have joined the system to protect and monetize their work. Cloudflare Isn't The Only One Trying To Protect Creators From AI This isn't happening in a vacuum. A broader wave of startups and platforms are emerging to support a consent-based data ecosystem. CrowdGenAI is focused on assembling ethically sourced, human-labeled data that AI developers can license with confidence. It's designed for the next generation of AI training where the value of quality and consent outweighs quantity. (Note: I am on the advisory board of CrowdGenAI). is a mobile camera app that verifies your photos are real, not AI. The app also verifies where the photo was taken and when. The photo, along with its metadata are hashed so it can't be altered. Each photo is stored on the Base blockchain as an NFT and the photo can be looked up and viewed on a global, public database. Photographers make money by selling rights to their photos. (Note: the founder of is on the board of Unstoppable - my employer) gives artists and creators control over their inclusion in datasets. Their tools let you mark your work as 'do not train,' with the goal of building a system where creators decide whether or not they're part of AI's learning process. helps companies generate synthetic data for safe, customizable model training, bypassing the need to scrape the web altogether. DataDistil is building a monetized, traceable content layer where AI agents can pay for premium insights, with full provenance and accountability. Each of these players is pushing the same idea: your data has value, and you deserve a choice in how it's used. What Are the Pros to Cloudflare's AI Approach? There are real benefits to Cloudflare's new system. First, it gives control back to creators. The default is 'no,' and that alone changes the power dynamic. You no longer have to know how to write a file or hunt for obscure bot names. Cloudflare handles it. Second, it introduces a long-awaited monetization channel. Instead of watching your content get scraped for free, you can now set terms and prices. Third, it promotes transparency. Site owners can see who's crawling, how often, and for what purpose. This turns a shadowy process into a visible, accountable one. Finally, it incentivizes AI developers to treat data respectfully. If access costs money, AI systems may start prioritizing quality, licensing, and consent. And There Are Some Limitations To The AI Approach But there are limitations. Today, all content is priced equally. That means a one-sentence landing page costs the same to crawl as an investigative feature or technical white paper. A more sophisticated pricing model will be needed to reflect actual value. Enforcement could also be tricky. Not all AI companies will follow the rules. Some may spoof bots or route through proxy servers. Without broader adoption or legal backing, the system will still face leakage. There's also a market risk. Cloudflare's approach assumes a future where AI agents have a budget, where they'll pay to access the best data and deliver premium answers. But in reality, free often wins. Unless users are willing to pay for higher-quality responses, AI companies may simply revert to scraping from sources that remain open. And then there's the visibility problem. If you block AI bots from your site, your content may not appear in agent-generated summaries or answers. You're protecting your rights—but possibly disappearing from the next frontier of discovery. I was chatting with Daniel Nestle, Founder of Inquisitive Communications, who told me 'Brands and creators will need to understand that charging bots for content will be the same as blocking the bots: their content will disappear from GEO results and, more importantly, from model training, forfeiting the game now and into the future.' Daniel Nestle, Founder of Inquisitive Communications, on the risks of blocking AI scraping. The AI Fork In The Road What Cloudflare has done is more than just configure a setting. They've triggered a deeper conversation about ownership, consent, and the economics of information. The default mode of the internet with free access, free usage, no questions asked, is being challenged. This is a fork in the road. One path leads to a web where AI systems must build partnerships with creators. Take the partnership of Perplexity with Coinbase on crypto data. The other continues toward unchecked scraping, where the internet becomes an unpaid training ground for increasingly powerful models. Between those extremes lies the gray space we're now entering: a space where some will block, some will charge, and some will opt in for visibility. What matters is that we now have the tools and the leverage to make that decision. For creators, technologists, and companies alike, that changes everything. Did you enjoy this story about AI And Cloudflare? Don't miss my next one: Use the blue follow button at the top of the article near my byline to follow more of my work.
UAE Moments
14-07-2025
- Business
- UAE Moments
Arabia Talents Sets the Stage for the Next Decade
Record-breaking 2024 fuels a new era of influencer licensing, real-time transparent analytics, and creator-to-brand transformation. [Insert Date] — Dubai, UAE. Arabia Talents, the Middle East's leading influencer marketing and talent management agency, today declared its intent not just to build on a record-breaking 2024: but redefine what's next. As the region's creator economy scales into a $10B+ opportunity, Arabia Talents is laying the groundwork to lead the next ten years, where creators evolve into product brands, and data-driven transparent strategies become the standard. With 1.26 billion views, 182 signed creators, and 5590 pieces of content produced in 2024, the agency isn't just reflecting on its growth: it's leveraging it. Arabia Talents is launching the region's first influencers licensing program in partnership with BBM Licensing to turn its roster of digital creators (casters, gaming and non-endemic talents) into consumer brands across fashion, beauty, home decor and lifestyle categories. Strategic Milestones for 2025 and Beyond · 1.26 billion views from 61 brand activation campaigns and 5590 content pieces produced in 2024 · Arabia Talents transforms artists into consumer brands by launching the first regional influencer licensing program in collaboration with BBM Licensing. · Release of a free one-pager market snapshot on the state of gaming and lifestyle influencers across MENA, now available for download. These milestones signal a new chapter not only for the agency but for the entire regional influencer economy. At the heart of this transformation is the upcoming launch of a proprietary analytics platform designed to give brands unmatched transparency and control; from shortlisting talent to tracking ROI in real time. "With over 750 million views on Reels and Shorts alone, short-form video has formally risen to the top, according to data from 2024. Thanks to its distinctive multi-action algorithm, TikTok continues to rule the MENA market in terms of both reach and engagement depth', according to Ahmad Hannouneh, Head of Agency at Arabia Talents. 'Impressions by themselves are no longer a valid indicator. Today, proven performance, platform-native narrative, and interactivity are what count. Across 61 campaigns, our creators produced more than 5,500 pieces of content, demonstrating a conscious move toward real, mobile-first stories. To ensure that every dirham spent has a quantifiable impact, our soon-to-be platform, will provide clients with a clear, real-time perspective of performance'. Arabia Talent's parent company, Esports Middle East LLC (ESME), has long been at the forefront of MENA's digital and gaming scene. Founded in 2014, ESME has build industry defining platforms such as and As the region's gaming sector is projected to exceed $2.6B by 2025, Arabia Talents is positioned as a central player in the convergence of gaming, influencer marketing, and creator-led commerce. According to Saeed Sharaf, Founder & CEO of Esports Middle East LLC, the parent business of Arabia Talents, "2024 was our most transformative year yet—not only in scale, but in impact." "We are putting even more effort into platform-native narrative, creative strategy, and data transparency. We're thrilled to introduce this year, a proprietary platform that offers our clients unmatched control over every stage of the campaign lifecycle, from performance reporting to influencer shortlisting. Influencer marketing, completely explained. " Arabia Talents continues to represent more than 90 exclusive creators with a combined reach of 299 million followers and over 344 cross-platform channels. Leading voices like Nour Mar5 (31.5M) and Om Sayf (29.5M) are already defining what it means to be the next generation of multi-platform brand ambassadors. Download the Free MENA Influencer Report To mark this evolution, Arabia Talents is offering a free one-pager industry snapshot covering the current state of gaming and lifestyle influencers in the Middle East. The report includes exclusive data on platform performance, engagement rates, and creator trends—available now at [ ] and find out more about how Arabia Talents can boost the visibility of your company in the area. ********* END ********* About Arabia Talents Arabia Talents is the leading influencer marketing agency in the Middle East and North Africa. As a full-service partner for brands and creators, the agency specializes in campaign strategy, talent matchmaking, content production, and real-time performance analysis. With a network of over 200 top influencers across TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and more, Arabia Talents delivers ROI-driven campaigns that connect brands with highly engaged audiences. Arabia Talents is a subsidiary of Esports Middle East LLC and operates with a mission to elevate the digital creator economy in the MENA region. About Esports Middle East LLC (ESME) Esports Middle East LLC (ESME) is a pioneering digital media and gaming organization founded in 2014, specializing in esports league operations, broadcast production, and talent management. The company launched the first Arabic esports news portal, and developed an AI-powered platform for managing competitive tournaments. ESME is the majority shareholder of Arabia Talents and continues to invest in the growth of gaming, content, and advertising ecosystems in the region. In 2021, ESME was recognized with Tencent's Excellent Service Provider Award for its outstanding work on global IPs across MENA.
Digital Trends
30-06-2025
- Digital Trends
Exclusive offer: Protect your digital identity with 30% off Pimeyes
Online privacy isn't optional anymore, it's essential. With the spread of facial recognition, image scraping, and deepfake technology, it's never been easier for your face to end up somewhere you never intended. Pimeyes is a powerful facial recognition engine that scans the internet for matches of your face, showing you where and how your image is being used. From July 1 through August 1, Digital Trends readers can take 30% off Pimeyes Open Plus and ProTect subscriptions by using the code DigitalTrends30 at checkout. What is Pimeyes? Pimeyes is a facial search engine that empowers you to track where your face appears online. You upload a photo of yourself, and Pimeyes scans billions of publicly accessible images across websites, social media, and online databases to find visual matches. Results include the image source, links to the hosting site, and tools to help you take control of how and where your face is used. The tech is particularly valuable for digital creators, public figures, and anyone serious about their online privacy. Whether you're trying to spot stolen modeling photos, track down deepfake content, or make sure your headshot isn't being misused, Pimeyes can help. Which Plan Is Right for You? Pimeyes offers two subscription tiers that cater to different levels of image monitoring and control: Open Plus is ideal for active monitoring. It includes 25 daily searches and three alerts that notify you when new results appear. You also get access to full search result sources, so you can see exactly where your image is hosted. ProTect takes it a step further. In addition to everything in the Open Plus plan, it includes 80 takedown requests per month. This means Pimeyes will act on your behalf to request the removal of your image from offending sites; a major time-saver when dealing with misuse, impersonation, or defamation. As of now, Open Plus and ProTect subscriptions are normally priced at $29.99 and $79.99 per month respectively. With our exclusive 30% discount, that drops to $20.99 and $55.99. That's a small price to pay for proactive image protection and peace of mind. Claim Your Discount Ready to start protecting your face online? Head over to and choose your plan. Don't forget to use the code DigitalTrends30 during checkout to apply your 30% discount. This exclusive offer runs from July 1 through August 1, so there's no time to waste. Take control of your digital identity now, before someone else does it for you.
Khaleej Times
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Dubai gears up for the 9th edition of India International Influencer Awards 2025
Dubai is poised to shine brighter than ever as it prepares to host the 9th edition of the India International Influencer Awards (IIIA) 2025 — a globally celebrated platform that honours digital creators, influencers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers who are redefining the future of content and innovation. Scheduled to take place on July 12, this highly anticipated edition marks a landmark moment as the awards make their dazzling debut in the UAE. Conceptualised by the visionary Kunal Thakkar, founder of Eventz Factory, IIIA 2025 promises to be a spectacular showcase of creativity, impact, and digital excellence, and is set to draw global attention from across the Middle East, South Asia, and beyond. Building on the success of previous editions held in iconic cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Pattaya, Colombo, and Mumbai, the Dubai edition signals a bold new chapter. It will serve as a cultural bridge, celebrating the synergy between India's vibrant creator economy and the Middle East's dynamic digital landscape. This year's event is expected to be more glamorous and influential than ever, with red carpet appearances from leading influencers, Bollywood celebrities, and international content creators. Attendees can also look forward to world-class live performances, immersive experiences, industry discussions, and networking sessions designed to elevate the creator community. Speaking about the upcoming edition, Kunal Thakkar shared: "Dubai was the natural choice for this milestone edition. It's a city that thrives on innovation, luxury, and global connectivity — everything our award show represents. We're setting the stage for an unforgettable celebration of influence."
