Week 1 — Foundations and first portraits before autumn

28 September–4 October 2026 · eight hours · scheduled, not completed

Programme · Seasonal calendar · Notes · Progress

This replaces the theory-only assignment. Start using the camera this week so you are ready for the golden-autumn family shoot in Week 3.

Objective

Make a simple adult portrait baseline, recognise how face orientation changes window light, and complete the basic capture-to-backup-to-export process. Your wife may be the subject if she is willing; another adult or self-portraits also work. Toddler participation this week is optional.

Study — two hours

Use the owned Wedding course inventory and course library: - 45 minutes: The Light, Part 1 → 5 Steps to a Well-Crafted Photograph and How Light Behaves. - 30 minutes: The Light, Part 3 → Window Light; preview Open Shade for next week if time remains. - 30 minutes: The Technique → Exposure Theory; Histogram if time allows. - 15 minutes: write three decisions to test and three simple directions for your subject.

These are time budgets, not lesson runtimes. Stop and record a resume point if a lesson is longer. If access fails, use the local natural-light article and the existing camera-basics reference.

Prepare and photograph — three hours total

45 minutes preparation: record the camera/lenses and editing software you have, choose one window and an uncluttered background, agree comfort/portrait preferences and prepare originals, selections, exports and a separate backup location. Write three goals for the programme.

45 minutes baseline session: photograph head-and-shoulders, a seated portrait with hands and a wider portrait. Give one clear instruction at a time. Keep initial files as the practical baseline; it is fine that you have studied first. Note eye sharpness, movement and bright skin detail.

30 minutes controlled comparison: keep framing and background similar while turning the subject towards the window and then roughly 45 degrees to it. If comfortable, add a more side-lit version. Adjust exposure as needed; inspect the eyes and nose shadow. A short break can divide the session.

30 minutes autumn planning: identify two nearby outdoor options and a rain fallback. Choose a provisional family date during 12–18 October and possible alternatives 5–25 October. No booking is required. Plan how you will appear in all-three family frames: helper or tested remote/timer if available.

30 minutes import and backup: copy the originals, make the backup and confirm representative files open. Record the locations.

The subject-facing portion is about 75 minutes maximum and can be shorter. Use spare time for notes and checking results rather than prolonging a tired subject's session.

Cull and edit — two hours

Choose five baseline portraits and one matched light-direction pair; overlap is allowed. Keep RAW/original files. Apply basic exposure, white balance and crop, with consistent colour. Do not begin advanced skin retouching. Export at a sensible viewing size and confirm the exports open.

Review — one hour

Score five selected portraits 0–2 for technical quality, light, posing/expression, composition and editing. Write one visible reason for each score. Ask your subject which portrait feels most like them. Explain what changed in your matched pair and what you will practise outdoors next week.

Deliver by 4 October

  • [ ] Five edited baseline portraits and one matched light-direction pair.
  • [ ] Original/backup/export locations and verification.
  • [ ] Completed Week 1 notes, actual study portions and one next priority.
  • [ ] Two autumn location options, a rain fallback and a provisional date.
  • [ ] Progress updated honestly; no completion assumed.

Three-hour fallback

30 minutes selected study; 75 minutes preparation and a short adult/self-portrait session; 45 minutes backup and basic editing; 30 minutes review and autumn planning. Deliver three images and one matched pair, allowing overlap. If a person is unavailable, a still object can test light but does not count as demonstrated portrait direction; make the adult baseline during Week 2.