Photographer Jon McCormack, who grew up in the Australian Outback and has traveled to all seven continents, has a new book titled "Patterns: Art of the Natural World," forthcoming from Damiani Books. The project emerged during the pandemic when limited travel led him to revisit local spots and develop a patient, attentive approach to capturing nature's hidden harmony and symmetry. The book features 90 images ranging from microscopic crystals to aerial views of flamingos in Kenya, along with text contributions from fellow photographers and conservationists.
The book matters because it reframes nature photography as a meditative practice that reveals the interconnectedness, resilience, and fragility of the natural world at multiple scales—from diatoms under a microscope to volcanic mineral patterns in Iceland. By combining scientific wonder with artistic vision, McCormack's work encourages viewers to see familiar landscapes anew and underscores the importance of conservation. The project also highlights how creative constraints, like pandemic-era travel restrictions, can lead to innovative artistic breakthroughs.