Jared 'The Fro' Polin offering free photography training downloads during the coronavirus pandemic

    Most, if not all, of us are pretty much confined to home in an effort to beat COVID-19 into submission.

    And while it's necessary, it's also giving people cabin fever, especially parents trying to keep their kids occupied. Fortunately, I can still work from home and get out occasionally (I'm deemed an essential worker by my state government and have a letter of transit that lets me go out for work).

    Jared Polin, of froknowsphoto.com, is proving himself to be a genuine mensch during this trying time. Polin has offered two of his video guides, FroKnowsPhoto Guide to Getting out of Auto and FroKnowsPhoto Beginner Flash Guide for either free or whatever people feel like paying.

    The offer was meant to help people who are homebound to learn more about photography, or help their kids learn photography. While they are free, Polin said people who want to pay something can.

    He estimates that more than $1 million worth of the videos have been downloaded. It's a limited time offer, and let's hope and pray that this offer runs out soon.

    Thanks, Fro.

Free DxO photo editing software (LIMITED TIME OFFER)

    Looking to get beyond iPhoto, Apple's Photos or the basic editing software that came with your camera, but can't afford Adobe's Lightroom or Photoshop?

    DxO Labs is offering a free license for its DxO OpticsPro 9, a $130 value. All you need to do is enter your email address here, and they will send you a download link and a serial number to unlock the software and use it indefinitely.

    There are a few catches. The offer is only good until Feb. 28, 2017, and the software cannot be updated. But, if you are looking at getting beyond the basic editing software, this is a free alternative to more expensive software or "rent" the right to use software.