Brighton photographer JJ Waller has been using his daily exercise time to document life in lockdown, taking pictures of people marooned at home through their windows and front-doors.
Since launching the project shortly after lockdown measures were enforced, Waller has been featured in the Guardian and on the local news, garnering praise for his creative approach to “capturing hope and fear in the face of crisis”.
“As a photographer,” Waller said, “I was looking for a way to respond to what’s going on, whilst taking into account social distancing guidelines. I thought it was important to document this moment in time, not just for us, but for people in the future. As well as being art, I see it as a historical document.”
Now into its third week, Waller’s project is proving very popular with Brighton residents, some of whom have even been putting on a show for him.
“Since I posted about the project on social media just after lockdown started, I’ve had invitations from all over Brighton. So many people have contacted me saying they’d love to take part. One family in Patcham put on a puppet show which was quite fun! Another family did an Evil Knievel style tableau, jumping over sofas and things like that, and another dressed up as aliens! So it’s been very entertaining for me,” he said.
It’s not all fun and games, however. There is a deeply moving edge to many of his photographs; faces pressed up against frosted glass doors and children gazing out of windows speak of a nation battling to make the best of life indoors amidst distressing news updates and little prospect of lockdown being lifted anytime soon.
“It’s been telling for me to hear about how moved people have been by the pictures. It’s strange, when I’m taking the photos, my focus is on trying to make the most interesting picture I can in a very short space of time, so I’m not always that aware of how moving they could be. Sometimes it’s not until I look back at them after and link the photo to how people tell me they’re getting on through the window that I have that emotive response.”
Photograph: JJ Waller.
Overwhelmingly, Waller said, the attitude he senses in his subjects is dogged endurance. On his journeys through Brighton’s near-deserted streets, he has, though, spoken to some people making the most of the opportunity to spend more time at home with their loved ones.
“To be honest, people do just want it over. It’s really hard trying to deal with it all. People understand and are doing what they’ve got to do. Everyone is just getting on with it really, trying to get through. I have spoken to a few people who usually have a very full on work schedule and are actually enjoying the slower pace of life and the opportunity to do things they never get a chance to do.”
Ultimately, he hopes the crisis will change society’s priorities for the better. “Politics needs to be kinder, in a nutshell,” he said. “We need to look after people and value everyone.”
