Austin, Texas: A Photographic Portrait

From the bracing artesian springs to the white limestone cliffs and sparkling lakes; from the colorful, quirky bungalows to the glittering high-rises; from the thump of live music to the heat of the summer and the heat on the tongue, Austin is a sensory feast. But what is intangible is no less important: the warmth and openness that have given the city a reputation for being friendly and relaxed. While some might come for practical reasons, and others are drawn by the romance of what has become a sophisticated, energetic and creative city, all have discovered that there s something mystical about the place, an almost inescapable magnetism. Here, photographer Peter Tsai documents the visual story of Austin: its breathtaking beauty, its old and new architectural expressions, and the collage of details that form a portrait of this spirited city and its people.