Project related to the Master’s Degree in New Documentary Photography , Barcelona

My Prompt

[Chat GPT] I’m a photographer about to submit a storytelling proposal for “Pie de Página” journal. My main topic is the precariousness of jobs in Mexico. My goal is to approach the topic from an intimate perspective, not only showing the limited security and income these people have, but also how it affects these people and their families on a daily basis. This isn’t a place of victimhood, but rather a cry of hope for the community and authorities. I need your help to capture this in the form of a formal proposal so I can get the opportunity to publish it and tell this story that thousands of us need to hear.

[Midjourney] /imagine: Create a landescape documentary photography where on a mexican contemporary poor family context. Where a woman is taking off her old shoes, damaged foot. Tomatoes next to her- Photo taken on Canon EOS –ar 16:9

/imagine:
Contemporary Landscape documentary photo of Mexican poor unkempt contemporary kids leaning on a city sidewalk, with a worn notebook doing homework on the street at afternoon . just one big yute made costal –cref https://s.mj.run/A6BgrVgpN2Y Taken on canon EOS –ar 16:9

/imagine: Landscape Documentary Photo Realistic with many textures, Hands of a poor bricklayer Mexican man, eating a tortilla with rice and beans. hands with cement mix residue. white disposable plastic plate. With cola soda at the background. Taken on Canon EOS –ar 16:9

/imagine: Landscape Documentary Photo Realistic with many textures, Hands of mexican poor girl kid, playing with her toys, behind old masonry tools. Taken on Canon EOS –ar 16:9

/imagine: Landscape Documentary Photo Realistic, many textures, Closeup of a bricklayer brick nike tenis walking on a damaged and dangerous scaffold, hand with no gloves. Taken on Canon EOS –ar 16:9

/imagine: Landscape Documentary Photo Realistic, natural candid photo of two mexican people’s hands interacting in an intimate family moment, adult hand gently passing a piece of bread or holding a child’s hand on a worn wooden table, rough textures, imperfect fingernails, traces of work, warm ambient light from a window, subtle shadows, soft focus background, documentary style, unscripted, honest, emotionally grounded, no posing, low-key lighting, mexican lower middle class domestic setting. concha bread –cref https://s.mj.run/jyHs3rWghtk Taken on Canon EOS –ar 16:9

Ai Tools: Claude, DALL-E

The precariousness of work in Mexico does not end with the uniform or the schedule.

Subject: Photographic Proposal for Pie de Página — “The Precariousness of Work in Mexico”

My name is Yoallan Muro, and I am a filmmaker and documentary photographer focused on social issues. I am reaching out to share a photographic project that aligns closely with the principles of Pie de Página.
I have followed your platform since my university days, and I deeply admire your commitment to amplifying the voices of those advocating for social change in Mexico—especially those whose circumstances have long deprived them of the tools to demand basic dignity and justice.
It is with this in mind that I propose the following project:

“The precariousness of work in Mexico doesn’t end with the uniform or the schedule.”
Project Summary:
In Mexico, over 32 million people work in informal, low-income, and often dangerous jobs—frequently without access to social security. This project seeks to document the everyday realities of such workers, beyond their labor, by also capturing the journeys they take to work, the environments they return to, and the familial warmth that surrounds their daily efforts.
Scenes may include patios transformed into workshops, children doing chores or playing next to tools, hands covered in flour or dust, and worn-out shoes from long commutes—a portrait of how precarious labor conditions impact not just individuals, but entire families.
This is an intimate and human-centered narrative that avoids a victimizing gaze. Instead, it aims to present a fresh visual perspective—both powerful and underexplored—focused on texture, space, and the human body. Its purpose is not to romanticize poverty or hardship, but to raise awareness and generate collective empathy, advocating for structural change through policy, business responsibility, and solidarity.

Visual Style:
* Emphasis on realistic textures: worn hands, dusty shoes, and rugged urban surfaces.
* Earthy, desaturated color palette to reflect the harsh environments depicted.
* Use of natural light to build volume and intimacy, avoiding harsh shadows.
* Mostly centered compositions to draw attention directly to the subject.
Technical Approach:
* Canon DSLR camera with 35–50mm lenses for versatility and intimacy.
* Wide aperture and low ISO for clarity and sharpness in focal areas.
* Tripod-supported shots, when needed, to maintain stability.

Access and Feasibility:
The project is highly feasible with minimal resources. I am based near Mexico City, with regular access to surrounding towns and communities. Most scenes will be shot in public or semi-public spaces, and for those that occur indoors, I will secure permission directly from the families involved.

Attached to this message, you’ll find a PDF mood board with reference images generated from prompts, illustrating the color palette, composition, and themes I aim to develop.

Additionally, I’ve included a link to a short documentary I directed during my final year at university. It explores the precarious conditions faced by bricklayers in Mexico and was screened at several international festivals.
I would be honored to contribute to Pie de Página with this visual story. Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I welcome any comments or feedback you may have.