This post is a response to the #ConnectTurns5Challenge (week 4) by @Velvel . I hope that you will find it useful and also please do join in the fun of this challenge! You can find out more about the challenge in the link above.
In the challenge, we are asked to look back at our very first post on Connect and to reflect on it. My first post can be found here and it is a post on how to edit food photos using the Snapseed app.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that as my first post mainly because it feels like a very, very long time ago and I had forgotten about it. And judging from the date posted (30th August 2016) it must have been just before going off to attend Local Guides Summit 2016. Back then, it wasnāt a requirement to do a post on Connect 
but I must have felt encouraged/inspired by the impending event to write a post.
And unsurprisingly, my first post marries the two activities I love most about being a Local Guides: photography and food! As a first post, I guess it wasnāt too bad and there are some minor changes that I would make to them now such as using bullet points (I donāt think that functionality was available then), re-arranging my images in a better way, and definitely using a cover photo!
Just a note too, donāt over-edit your photos if youāre uploading them to Google Maps. Your photos have to look natural and as close to what your eyes can see so donāt do any major stylising to them.
Back then, I would edit my photos quite heavily but now I usually do the following:
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use Rotate to ensure the object in the photo is not slanted/skewed and to keep the horizon straight
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use the Auto Adjust in Tune Image as thatās using Snapseedās algorithms and hey, Google owns Snapseed and a lot of the features are adopted by Google Photoās editor too, so I can only assume that their auto adjustments would be perfectly acceptable by Google Mapsā AI.
Occasionally the auto adjustments arenāt good enough and then I would do a manual edit. This usually happens if I find that the photo is still too dark or the colour balance is wrong.
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use Crop, if necessary, to bring a better focus on the object
And thatās it. And lookā¦ bullet points! 
The way I write my post is pretty much the same and if you want learn about my writing style to improve your own you can check out my #ConnectWritingChallenge series. It covers all levels from basic through to advanced.
Itās been 5 years since Iāve been on Connect (more in the Local Guides program) and as we celebrate Connect turning 5, itās also a great time to reflect on your own journey in the Local Guides program.
Looking back at my first post reminded me that from back then until now, Iāve always been focused on adding value to the community: trying to help the community write better, take better photos, contribute better on Maps and to do all that in a fun, interactive and educational way.
And Iāve always enjoyed learning from all of you too! Just take a look at all the post across all the various topic boards! Thereās a wealth of knowledge and experience being shared there and Iām very grateful to have this community mould me into a more worldly person! 
I know weāre all busy but I hope that you can take some time to join in this challenge. And if you do, feel free to tag me so that I can have a read of your post too! And get your friends to join in too! Thanks!
#ConnectTurns5Challenge 
