Q2 ASSIGNMENT 2026: GAEL HILLYARD
PHOTOGRAPH: DARKNESS
THE ASSIGNMENT BRIEF FOR APRIL TO END OF JUNE 2026
From Gael Hillyard: “I would like it if people could go outside one night after work, after dinner, in the garden, in the street, in the supermarket car park, and just stop, and look up, perhaps wait for the clouds to clear. Just look at what you can see, and keep looking. Let your eyes adjust and notice what's in that dark patch of sky. I think you’ll be amazed. Satellites, stars, clouds, planets, everything. It'll take time. Just let your eyes adjust and keep watching. Then, perhaps using a long exposure technique, see what you can make.”
You’re also welcome to use the sky as a sliver of the picture, since you may have buildings or other structures that provide context. You could equally be looking through objects into the sky.
HOW TO ENTER. IMPORTANT NOTES ON FILE SIZE AND ENTRIES
Send your entry to stories@photowalk.show.
Your picture should be 2,500 pixels wide, if possible, for online optimisation. Or send the full-resolution photo, which we will optimise.
Feel free to provide text as well if you think it will help explain the location, context, etc.
Please don’t add borders or watermarks, and be sure to send FULL URL links to your website or a social media channel so that we can link to your work on this assignment page. We’ll use a selection of photos you submit on our Photowalk Instagram to showcase your work to our community and help build connections.
The last admission date for the assignment is June 30th, 2026.
Entries are shown below. Good luck!
Neale
GAEL HILLYARD
See more of Gael’s work on her website.
SIMON BLAKESLEY
I just finished listening to Episode #527 with Ruth Guest and really enjoyed her thoughtful and insightful perspectives on photography, social media, and life more broadly. I was also heartened to hear that The Assignment has returned. The topic (Darkness) is one that those who live north of the 60th parallel experience in abundance for months of the year. As an aviation photographer, I find this to be an exciting time that requires planning, warm clothing, adaptation- and a sturdy tripod!
Of course, I couldn't help myself and felt compelled to offer an image with an aircraft in it. The DHC-2 de Havilland Beaver is a Canadian-built aircraft that is equally at home on lakes and gravel runways in the North. On the evening this image was taken the Aurora Borealis was out in fine form. A 15-second exposure helped capture the wavy motion of the northern lights as they drifted across the night sky. Other than a red LED head torch to help me set up safely, it was total darkness. For me, this felt like an intense and awe-filled Canadian moment- witnessing a classic Canadian aircraft lit only by a wondrous auroral display.
See more of Simon’s work on his website.
JEAN-DAVID N’DA
A photograph called ‘Believe’.
RICK SMITH
Stairway into the darkness.
