Sugar & fire - Colombia

As I was stirring panela in my coffee, our host described it being made from freshly squeezed sugarcane juice in huge cauldrons, boiled and mixed over a wood fire until thick and golden.
He offered to take us to his neighbours, who run a panela farm. The fire, heat, steam and caramel sounded like a visual feast so I jumped at the opportunity.

Photographing there was challenging. The steam kept fogging my lens, the light swung between bright openings and dark interiors, and the process moved incredibly fast. I had to understand the rhythm, anticipate where the most striking action would happen, and react instantly. Focus was tricky with such rapid movements and I had to use a fast shutter to freeze them.
I spent about an hour following and chatting with Yaison to help him relax around me. Once I knew the gesture I wanted, I positioned myself, waited for him to lift the syrup, and made him smile just as I took the frame