Tempura Vendor at Sunrise Lome Market

Wet concrete floor reflects the soft, diffused glow of an overcast sky filtering through a woven market canopy in Lome. A vendor stands behind a large wok where golden oil bubbles vigorously around frying tempura. Steam rises in thin, translucent ribbons, mingling with the humid air that rests on the scene. Fresh vegetables and battered seafood rest on nearby plastic trays, their colors vibrant against the grey metal of the cooking station. The foreground features a blurred, rain-slicked wooden post that frames the action. Glistening droplets rest on the rim of the wok, catching the pale morning light. The vendor's hands move with practiced speed, turning the golden-brown pieces into a basket of wire mesh.