Nature's Patterns Come Into Focus in a Pandemic-Inspired Photo Essay

Photographer Jon McCormack turned pandemic-era beach walks into a years-long study of nature's patterns, producing the monograph Patterns: Art of the Natural World. From dunes that read as line drawings to micro-organisms seen through a microscope, his images reveal recurring motifs across deserts, glaciers, and wildlife. Using a long telephoto lens and focus stacking, he captures close-ups from remote expeditions and near-home scenes, aiming to make nature feel accessible to everyone and inspire its protection.