Jon McCormack: Patterns. Art of the Natural World

Stunning photography reveals the hidden architecture of the natural world, from grand vistas to tiny details, punctuated by surprise encounters with wildlife. For nature and animal lovers alike, this book offers a dynamic and unforgettable journey celebrating the interconnectedness of life and form.

Wonders: Exploring Nature's Art explores the natural design woven into the fabric of our planet. See the beauty of unexpected structures and delicate rhythms echoed across animal markings, grand landscapes, geological formations, and botanical design—all in breathtaking detail. The photographs in this book were made across a wide arc of the natural world: from the volcanic coasts of Iceland to the wilds of Kenya, the icy fjords of Antarctica to the rainforests of British Columbia. They follow the silent geometry of hippo trails in Botswana, the intricate symmetry of ice caves in Svalbard, and the mysterious worlds found in cold underwater environments. Many of the images were also created close to Jon’s home, along the coastlines, forests, and deserts of California—a testament to the universality of pattern wherever nature is allowed to thrive. Throughout, encounter wildlife interwoven within these complex environments, creating fleeting patterns of movement both beautiful and vital. Each turn of the page reveals a new perspective on the symmetries that shape both the grand and the small: tree rings under a microscope juxtaposed with elephant migration trails seen from above; the delicate architecture that structures both mineral formations and the feathers of ancient birds.
These quiet, often-overlooked subtleties are more relevant than ever as our planet—this remarkable and irreplaceable home, brimming with beauty—is also marked by a profound fragility. A lyrical introduction encourages readers to contemplate the natural wonders that surround us, while short essays by explorers and scientists throughout the book illuminate the images.
This book serves as a testament to the enduring power of nature and the interconnectedness of all things—a reminder that whether vast or minute, still or in motion, the natural world is a masterpiece of pattern and life.


About the Author :
Jon McCormack is a photographer shaped by the raw beauty and stark contrasts of the Australian Outback. He grew up in western Queensland, working with sheep and cattle on vast stretches of land where the rhythms of nature; its droughts and abundance, resilience and fragility; were not abstract ideas but daily realities. That early immersion instilled in him a lifelong reverence for the natural world. He began photographing the Australian bush as a teenager, drawn to the quiet, often-overlooked moments of tenderness within a rugged landscape. These early images laid the foundation for a photographic voice rooted in attention, patience, and deep ecological empathy.
Today, Jon lives in Northern California, where his work explores the intricate patterns and emotional textures of wild places around the world. Through his images, he aims to awaken both wonder and responsibility in his viewers. His photographs have been widely published and are regularly used by global conservation organizations to advocate for the protection of fragile ecosystems.
In parallel with his photography, Jon leads software and computational photography efforts for the iPhone camera at Apple. There, his mission aligns with his creative vision: to empower people everywhere to tell their stories with clarity, beauty, and meaning.
His photography has been featured by leading conservation and media organizations including TIME, The New York Times, The International Herald Tribune, Wall Street Journal, UNESCO, The Nature Conservancy, Africa Geographic, Conservation International, The Guardian, CNN, The Telegraph, Wild Eye Magazine, Nature Visions, and Outdoor Photographer. Jon was also featured on the NPR television series Eco-Sense for Living. He is a member of The Explorers Club, a board member of the Rainforest Alliance, a founding board member of SeaLegacy, and co-founder of The Kilgoris Project, a nonprofit supporting education in rural Kenya.

M Sanjayan is CEO of Conservation International and a well known scientist and speaker. Daniel Katz is the founder of the Rainforest Alliance. Ami Vitale is a long serving photographer for National Geographic. Sylvia Earle is an ocean conservationist.