The word ‘pattern’ is derived from the French word ‘patron’, which describes recurring elements.

Patterns aren't always created by humans. They occur in nature quite often, you just need to be conscious about them. Have a closer look at leaves, food, or even a bird's feathers. You'll be surprised of the beautiful patterns you can find!

These natural geometric patterns are what we are trying to capture for this contest. Go out in nature and finding a pattern that repeats itself at least 3 times. Whatever you pick, it cannot be man-made. The subject of your photo must be of natural origin.

If you are new to pattern photography, have a look at this excellent article. It contains inspirational examples and tons of tips and tricks to get the most out of your pattern photos.

Or have a look at this contest on Pxleyes from 11 years ago: Patterns of nature. This contest was won by user 'Fallinghorse'.

Good luck!

Staaan avatarLevel 20Heart award
Staaan

If you have any questions/suggestions/comments about this contest, reply to this comment!

Good luck! 👇

2 reactions
user_1404149378336628739 avatarLevel 5Gold award
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Ginko created by user_1404149378336628739

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Vibeke avatarLevel 12Silver award
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Tulip created by Vibeke

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Zizounai avatarLevel 16Bronze award
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Peacock feather created by Zizounai

4 reactions
zuna avatarLevel 3
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Beatle leaf pattern created by zuna

Nilanjan avatarLevel 6Heart award
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Curves created by Nilanjan

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Falco avatarLevel 3
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colors of nature created by Falco

Peacock of Sri Lanka

Olga.L avatarLevel 17
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Marleen's Colourful Spirit created by Olga.L

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Olga.L avatarLevel 17
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Fungus Among Us created by Olga.L

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MyMindsEye avatarLevel 12Heart award
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Afloat created by MyMindsEye

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Rajat avatarLevel 5
10 out of 56
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Leaf pattern with bubbles created by Rajat

Macro photography with iphone+apexel lens

Wayne-Cheah avatarLevel 12
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Palm Leaf created by Wayne-Cheah

5 reactions
Wayne-Cheah avatarLevel 12
12 out of 56
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Digitally Designed Fish created by Wayne-Cheah

The pattern on this fish looks like a maze where you start from the mouth and end at the tail?

2 reactions
Zizounai avatarLevel 16
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Fern created by Zizounai

2 reactions
kyricom avatarLevel 13
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Paper Wasp Hive created by kyricom

Vibeke avatarLevel 12
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Tulip petals created by Vibeke

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MyMindsEye avatarLevel 12
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Genuine White Fragility created by MyMindsEye

Tahrat_23 avatarLevel 3
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Insect's pattern created by Tahrat_23

oleysslo avatarLevel 3
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Pinwheel Plant created by oleysslo

kyricom avatarLevel 13
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A Single Snowflake created by kyricom

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Olga.L avatarLevel 17
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Pizzazz created by Olga.L

ShannonS avatarLevel 6
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Bandit created by ShannonS

kyricom avatarLevel 13
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A Chambered Nautilus created by kyricom

7 reactions
demi avatarLevel 6
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Passion flower created by demi

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Wayne-Cheah avatarLevel 12
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Bitter Gourd created by Wayne-Cheah

Why would Nature design something ugly looking and bitter as well, and yet humans eat it ?

4 reactions
Vibeke avatarLevel 12
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Parachute Fungi created by Vibeke

2 reactions
Wayne-Cheah avatarLevel 12Heart award
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Stars created by Wayne-Cheah

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grasshopper1 avatarLevel 11
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New Skin created by grasshopper1

New back yard plant leaf.

MyMindsEye avatarLevel 12
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Tuna Crab created by MyMindsEye

Commonly called "red crabs" because of their orange to red color. Also have been referred to as "tuna crabs." There are 5 zoeal stages characterized by large eyes, a long serrated rostrum, and elongate postero-lateral carapace spines. It is not a true crab.

Zizounai avatarLevel 16
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Algae created by Zizounai

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Stacked Wood created by MyMindsEye

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Olga.L avatarLevel 17
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Fallen created by Olga.L

demi avatarLevel 6
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aurelia butterfly created by demi

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A pinecone. :) created by ShariG

1 reaction
kyricom avatarLevel 13Diamond award
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Frosty Autumn Morning created by kyricom

2 reactions
grasshopper1 avatarLevel 11
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"Hello" created by grasshopper1

I took a couple pics of this flower as it was hanging out the back of a pick up truck.It seemed to be saying "Hello" when I passed by.

2 reactions
Olga.L avatarLevel 17
Olga.L

You are so right! I think it looks like a happy face emoji....what a find. Lovely natural colour saturation and the repeat of patterns clearly seen with a tight crop. It could have been sharper especially around the "eyes" of the face, but it is a photo that brings a smile to our faces.

1 reaction
grasshopper1 avatarLevel 11
grasshopper1 replied to Olga.L :

Thank you Olga. Unfortunately all I had at the time was a camera phone that decided to start acting up on me. The eyes are bugs.They just so happen to take up shop at those locations on the flower. Pretty cool.

Nilanjan avatarLevel 6
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Beautiful Nature created by Nilanjan

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ID- Dandeilions created by Rajat

Shot on iphone+apexel MacroShot

Olga.L avatarLevel 17
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Nature's Patterns created by Olga.L

grasshopper1 avatarLevel 11
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Suckling Flies created by grasshopper1

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Flesh Spirals created by Wayne-Cheah

It didn't occur to me that the flesh of this fish, (a mackerel), has a spiral pattern.

4 reactions
Nilanjan avatarLevel 6
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Unspecified specimen created by Nilanjan

aipics avatarLevel 8
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Caterpillar or green worm created by aipics

LutfaRahman avatarLevel 4
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Calabash Leaf created by LutfaRahman

Calabash leaves repeat the same pattern again and again. Each leaf is symmetric to the vertical axis or the midrib or the main vein.

Edlopez avatarLevel 7
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Cactus created by Edlopez

I'm not a photographer by any means. But here is my first try, using Macro. Practice makes perfect so I heard

5 reactions
demi avatarLevel 6Silver award
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flower created by demi

5 reactions
Nilanjan avatarLevel 6
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Natural Design created by Nilanjan

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Natural Wonder created by Nilanjan

aipics avatarLevel 8
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Fern created by aipics

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Basil Flower created by LutfaRahman

Basil flowers on a stem are symmetric bilaterally.

ShannonS avatarLevel 6
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Ballet created by ShannonS

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aipics avatarLevel 8
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Damselfly created by aipics

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Dragonfly wings created by aipics

8 reactions
marsun26 avatarLevel 4
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WALKING PARACHUTES created by marsun26

Taken at our backyard 06.23.2021 using an average smartphone without the use of any filter.

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aipics avatarLevel 8Gold award
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Dragonfly created by aipics

7 reactions
LutfaRahman avatarLevel 4
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Nameless picture created by LutfaRahman

This wavy-shaped thing rises from the Calabash stem. It behaves exactly like springs.

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