A PHOTOGRAPHER has created a new project to capture life under lockdown.

JJ Waller is known for his work depicting scenes in Brighton and has released three books of street photography in the city as well as JJ Waller’s Brighton Pride and JJ Waller’s Brighton and Hove Albion books.

But for his latest photo series the artist is documenting life during the coronavirus lockdown on his daily exercise outings.

He said: “Just before the lockdown I’d been driving east and west as I was planning on doing my next book on Sussex, coast to coast.

“On one of those drives I was thinking about what I could be doing when the lockdown took place.

“I posted the idea to photograph people through their windows on my Facebook page and quickly got some replies.

“When I did the first one in the Goldstone Valley area in Hove I took a picture of a young girl at the window called Sadie and when I saw it the photo really resonated with me.

“It was just a trigger that this project had meaning and was worthwhile pursuing.”

The Argus: A group of flatmates from Elm GroveA group of flatmates from Elm Grove

JJ has photographed a range of different people for the project, including families, children, students and groups of housemates.

He said: “I think people have very quickly grasped the idea. Like all good ideas it’s a simple one.

“It’s very important to document what’s going on now for future generations and it fits with my history of photographing Brighton.

“It’s been very exciting and emotional at times.”

The Argus: Children in Woodingdean made masks to entertain people walking byChildren in Woodingdean made masks to entertain people walking by

JJ said he is exploring different ways of telling the story and is still receiving messages every day from residents who want to feature.

The photos have resonated with people from around the world.

JJ said: “I’ve been inundated with tweets and Instagram messages from loads of places, from New Zealand to San Francisco.

“I’m very pleased with the work but I hope it will be going into the history books sooner rather than later.”

To get involved with the project, contact JJ Waller through his Facebook page or his website at jjwaller.com. 

  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal. Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund