About Lauren Pacini

Lauren Pacini is a photographer and author. His primary focus is the urban landscape. Born in 1943, Pacini moved to Cleveland in 1950, and with the exception of college and military service has made it his home ever since.

As a photographer Pacini strives to understand the story behind the subject matter to which he is drawn, and to convey that story through his art. Pacini believes that black-and-white photography offers a compelling richness of detail, texture and contrast that is often obscured by the color pallet. His photographs generally do not include people. Feeling that the inclusion of people defines the photograph, he prefers to encourage the viewer to interpret the photograph in the context of his or her own experience.

Largely self-taught, Pacini has been influenced by the work of Alfred Stieglitz, Ansel Adams, Margaret Bourke-White, Lee Friedlander and Julius Shulman. Much of his early work was of nature, but he felt driven to tell the story of the industrial city. Of his first book, Shattered Dreams Revisited, Pacini says, "While I am all too aware of the city’s signs of decay, I am driven to tell another story - one that celebrates its rich history, traditions and culture – one of hope – and signs of rebirth."