Xperiment - Jon McCormack | Jon McCormack | TEDxBerkeley

Photographer Jon McCormack presents a TEDxBerkeley talk on wonder as a form of ecological attention. His work moves from aerial landscapes to close-up studies and microscopic forms to show the patterns and relationships that link living systems. His upbringing in the Australian Outback shapes an approach rooted in patience and attention. The talk connects looking closely with curiosity, understanding and care for fragile ecosystems.

• Photography of aerial landscapes, close-ups and microscopic forms
• Wonder and attention as a basis for ecological awareness
• Influence of the Australian Outback on the photographer's work
• Biodiversity loss and climate disruption as context

NOTE FROM TED: This talk only represents the speaker’s personal views and understanding of nature, physiology, and health which remains an ongoing field of study. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdf Jon McCormack is a photographer whose work explores wonder as a form of ecological attention. Through aerial landscapes, intimate close-up studies, and microscopic forms, he reveals the hidden patterns, rhythms, and relationships that connect the living Earth, especially at a time of climate disruption and accelerating biodiversity loss. What we truly notice, we are more likely to protect. Jon McCormack is a photographer whose work is deeply informed by his upbringing in the stark, untamed landscapes of the Australian Outback. Beginning as a teenager photographing quiet, often-overlooked moments in the bush, he developed a photographic voice rooted in patience, attention, and ecological empathy. Today, his images explore the intricate patterns and emotional textures of wild places, seeking to inspire both wonder and a sense of responsibility, and are widely published and used by global conservation organizations to advocate for the protection of fragile ecosystems. Ultimately, his work asks viewers to reconsider the act of looking itself. In a culture increasingly defined by speed and distraction, sustained attention can become an act of connection. His photographs seek to create that pause, a moment in which beauty becomes curiosity, curiosity becomes understanding, and understanding has the possibility of becoming care. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx