Times are definitely still tough which is why we're launching a new feature on PDN Gear Guide today -- Friday Bargains of the Week.

The following are the best photo deals that have turned up in our inbox in the past week. If you have a photo-related product, service, or workshop that has been seriously discounted due to the Recession, please email it to dhavlik@pdnonline.com.

MediaStorm's Multimedia Stimulus Plan

Canon Instant Rebates Through July

A Photographer Makeover...for Less

Get a Lens for Mother’s Day

Here are the details:

MediaStorm's Multimedia Stimulus Plan
In response to the tough economic climate and the growing need for multimedia training, MediaStorm will be holding a one-time, tuition-free Advanced Multimedia Reporting Workshop in Brooklyn, NY from June 20-26, 2009.

The MediaStorm Advanced Multimedia Workshops are designed for multimedia storytellers who want to get to the next level. It is not an introductory course. Students are responsible for their own travel, room and board. Reporters are expected to have a high level of competency with still photography, and be familiar with audio and video techniques. Editors are expected to be comfortable in Final Cut Pro.

MediaStorm has spots for only eight participants as Multimedia Reporters, Editors or Observers. Applications are due no later than Friday, May 15, 2009. Participants will be selected based on the content of their applications.

To apply, fill out the application form by clicking here.

For more information, and to see work produced in previous workshops, see the Workshop site. For other questions, email workshops@mediastorm.org.

Canon Instant Rebates Through July
Canon's announced a slew of new "instant" rebates on is cameras, lenses, and flashes that are in effect through July 11, 2009.

Some of the highlights include:

• Save $500 on an EF 200mm f/2L IS USM lens
• Save $200 on an EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens
• Save $50 on a Speedlite 580EXII flash
• Save $70 on a Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX flash
• Save $300 on a EOS 50D + EF-S 18-20mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens
• Save $150 on an EOS 50D + EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

To see all the instant rebates and to download the coupons click here.

A Photographer Makeover...for Less
In a recent email from stock photography veteran Jack Hollingsworth to his supporters, Hollingsworth announced he's cutting the price and moving the dates of his "Photographer Makeover" event because of the Recession.

Photographer's Makeover, which will explore ways photographers can use social media and web 2.0 tools to rebrand themselves and grow their business, will take place from June 1-4 in Austin, TX.

Hollingsworth notes in his email that "based on the 'wisdom of crowds'," he will be:

•  moving the date of the event in order to provide advance planning / budgeting for target audience

•  shortening the event from 5 days to 3 days

•  reducing the cost of the workshop from $1800 to $1200

•  eliminating less popular topics and themes ('social media' and 'digital cinema' had the popular vote by a landslide compared to 'mulit-media', 'personal branding' or 'recession marketing'.)

•  implementing a series of daily teleseminars, in may, teasing the content until launch.

For more info or to sign up, click here:

Get a Lens for Mother's Day
And finally, while this is not really a pro lens, it would certainly make a great gift for mom. As part of a Mother's Day special, Tamron is offering a $50 mail-in rebate on its super-zoom AF18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Aspherical (IF) Macro.

Yes, you read that focal length correctly, it's a 15x zoom lens with built -in Vibration Compensation to help your mom take wide-angle shots or super telephoto plus macro.

Click here to read more and to download the PDF rebate form.