Almost twenty three thousand runners & walkers hit the streets this year for the Capitol 10k. A decade or so ago my son & I started running the 10k, then when his unit at Texas A&M started running it, I became their ‘official’ photographer. Although Matt graduated a couple of years ago, I still get the privilege of photographing the Aggies from his unit during their traditional run. This year I was fortunate to be able to photograph the runners as they made their way up Congress Ave from the Austonian building. Can you imagine being able to actually wake up every morning with this view of the Austin skyline out your window? Amazing.

While few long time Austinites don’t long for the time not too long ago when Austin was a smaller place without the outrageous traffic and sprawling suburbs, I do like the emerging look of the ‘new’ downtown. The Austin Skyline is developing into quite a beauty.
As a side note, don’t try a multiple exposure HDR shot like this from the middle of a busy road without an assistant (that likes you) to warn of traffic coming from behind.

A storm was moving over Austin the afternoon I photographed the new Austin Skyline from Congress Avenue. As the new buildings are providing an ever changing skyline, new ‘icons’ appear. For several years it has been the Frost bank building. (The ‘pointy’ building on the right of this photo.) I believe for the next few years it will be the “Austonian”. (The tall building on the left.) It’s very challenging to find a good view showing the new skyline that also includes ultimate Austin icon, the Texas Capitol.

If you would like to see a larger version of any of my images with more detail you can click on the image to take you to my Flickr site. Then, from the Flickr site choose “All sizes” just above the photo to see a larger version.
One more thing… Since you are here, please make a comment. Let me know what you think, Ideas for future photos, or just say “Hello!” I love to read the comments!
Thanks for stopping by,

John

It’s getting more & more difficult to find an ‘iconic’ image of Austin Texas. Not too long ago you would photograph the Austin skyline from any hill and be able to include the Texas Capitol & the UT Tower. Now unless you are shooting straight down Congress Avenue the Capitol is obscured by all the new construction. I had a fellow photographer tell me that the Frost Bank Tower (The tall building to the right of the Capitol) is the ‘new’ Austin icon. Me, I still like the old traditional Capitol.