Australian photographer and conservationist Jon McCormack's latest photographic collection, "Patterns: Art of the Natural World," published by Damiani, offers a profound exploration of the hidden visual harmonies present throughout our planet. This compelling work emerged from a period of restricted global movement during the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted McCormack to cultivate a more focused and contemplative method of observing his immediate surroundings. The resulting compilation transcends conventional nature photography, unifying diverse subjects through the lens of recurring patterns, from grand geological formations to the intricate details of microscopic life. Through this book, McCormack invites viewers to perceive the natural world not as a series of disconnected elements, but as an interconnected tapestry woven with fundamental geometric and rhythmic principles, fostering a renewed sense of wonder and appreciation for nature's underlying intelligence.
The genesis of "Patterns" lies in a significant transformation in McCormack's artistic methodology. Confined by travel limitations, he found himself revisiting the same locations, particularly a specific stretch of coastline in Northern California. Initially, his photographic approach was typical, capturing expansive scenes and dramatic sunsets. However, the consistent return to the same subject compelled him to look beyond the obvious, leading to a deeper engagement with the environment. This repetitive process, he explains, stripped away distractions and forced a slower, more attentive mode of perception. Instead of seeking new destinations, McCormack allowed his subjects to gradually reveal their inherent complexities, fostering a relationship with nature characterized by nuanced observation rather than broad strokes.
This shift in perspective, McCormack emphasizes, was primarily driven by the confluence of repetition, constraint, and time. The inability to constantly move to new places eliminated the allure of novelty, redirecting his focus inward. He began to spend more time patiently observing, rather than imposing preconceived notions onto the scenes before him. This meditative approach allowed him to discern subtle shifts in light, the delicate interplay of water and foam, and how minor tidal changes could entirely reshape a landscape's visual composition. This period underscored that profound insights are not dependent on vast geographical exploration but on the intensity and quality of one's attention to the immediate environment.
McCormack's revised approach also influenced his understanding of photographic narratives and editing. He realized that the unifying theme for his work was not a specific location but the pervasive presence of patterns. This realization liberated him from categorizing images as merely "landscape," "macro," or "microscope" photographs, instead allowing him to connect them based on shared structural or rhythmic intelligence. Aerial views, ice cave formations, microscopic organisms, animal markings, fossils, and shorelines all found their place within the collection, demonstrating how fundamental forms echo across vastly different scales. This broader perspective allowed him to craft a coherent story that reveals a visual language universally spoken by the natural world.
For McCormack, patterns represent more than mere aesthetic elements; they embody the inherent beauty and intelligence of nature. They are visual affirmations that the natural world, far from being chaotic, is governed by profound order. The consistent reappearance of spirals, ripples, branching structures, tessellations, and symmetries across diverse natural phenomena—from coastlines and feathers to glaciers and microscopic life—suggests a fundamental interconnectedness. These patterns are not accidental embellishments but are shaped by powerful natural forces such as pressure, flow, growth, and the relentless passage of time. Photographing them, therefore, becomes an act of documenting not just surface appearance, but the visible evidence of how life and matter perpetually organize themselves.
The decision to dedicate an entire book to patterns stems from McCormack's conviction that they represent one of nature's deepest unifying threads. He views these recurring forms as a "hidden visual language," demonstrating how a salt lake, an ice cave, a fossil, and a microscopic organism are linked not just by visual resemblance, but by their shared participation within a single, dynamic living system. This perspective invites viewers to reconsider their assumptions about scale, recognizing that the profundity of a pattern is not diminished by its size nor enhanced by its monumentality. The book challenges us to perceive the world as an articulate, interconnected entity, constantly communicating its processes and inherent order.
The inclusion of microscopic patterns in the book exemplifies McCormack's commitment to exploring hidden structures. His process involves using a microscope and focus stacking up to 25 images to overcome the minuscule depth of field, a technically demanding approach that conceptually aligns with his broader search for underlying order. He is drawn to microscopic subjects that not only possess visual allure but also resonate with the formal principles observed at larger scales. For instance, a diatom's intricate geometry can evoke the same sense of powerful elegance as an aerial river system. In selecting these subjects, McCormack prioritizes images that contribute to the book's overarching dialogue, extending its visual language and reinforcing the idea that nature's structures repeat across all magnitudes, rather than merely presenting novel but isolated observations.
The book’s introduction, where McCormack states, “Beneath the surface of what we see lies structure, repetition, and intelligence, proof that the world is not just alive, but speaking,” encapsulates his core philosophy. This statement is not a mystical pronouncement but an invitation to cultivate profound attention. While the initial impression of nature might be one of surface beauty and spectacle, a sustained gaze reveals underlying organization. Forms recur, rhythms echo, and similar solutions emerge in disparate contexts. At this juncture, nature transcends mere scenery and transforms into an eloquent expression of processes at work. Photography, for McCormack, serves as a conduit into this continuous dialogue, allowing him to discern that what initially appears abstract or beautiful is, in fact, rich with information and meaning. This recognition of continuity across diverse visual structures fosters a deep sense of an interconnected and vibrant world, a message that "Patterns" endeavors to convey.