Old boiler, gas bottles, condensate tank, vertical

@MadScientist: I can sort of feel that response, though knowing what is actually there and not there, I know that the worst is probably being startled by a loud noise, such as a relief valve lifting (although, any time you're around lines carrying steam, there is also the potential for burns, and much much worse if the steam is under high pressure --for instance, there have been high-pressure steam leaks at power plants that have killed the entire operating crew).

@danthro: In this case the warped effect is actually a product of an overcorrection for lens distortion --which I suppose produces a little fish-eye effect here. I originally intended just to apply a little bit of correction to the vertical distortion you get with a typical SLR wide-angle lens, but in the process I found I like the warped effect of overcorrection.

@JoeB: Troubling in what way? As in not liking the image or as in the image invoking an unpleasant emotion or association? I don't consider the second reaction to indicate an unsuccessful image.

@JoeB: I can't say I was shooting for sinister --though I'm happy to have that effect. I'd say I was shooting for something more like "other worldly."