Migrant workers are the backbone and unsung heroes of China’s rapid economic and urban transformation. Originating from the less developed provinces, they come to cities such as Shanghai in search of a higher wage and a better life. I made this work in response to the widening wealth gap in China. Some of these workers, who are crucial for the economy and infrastructure projects of China, would need a year's whole earnings (6 days a week, sometimes 7) to afford just 1 months rent for some of the apartments they help construct. They spend their working lifes within these large fenced off construction sites - working and sleeping in large dormitory style temporary buildings. I made these images when they were on their lunch break - when they might go outside away from the construction sites own canteen. Asking them to position themselves in front of the billboard style adverts that surround the site for a quick portrait.
Jonathan Browning is a London-based photographer who also travels regularly to Shanghai and Beijing; his previous home of 10 years. He specialises in documentary, portrait, corporate + industrial photography and videography. He studied a BA (Hons) in Photojournalism, graduating in 2005, and in 2007 moved to China to establish himself as a freelance photographer, working for editorial and corporate clients; from shooting illegal coal mines and dissident artists to making a portrait of the president of Taiwan. His work has been published worldwide in international broadsheets, magazines, ads and annual reports.