ABOUT

Luke Tscharke (pronounced “Shar-key”) is an Australian landscape photographer based in Hobart, Tasmania. With a background in biology and quality assurance, Luke transitioned from his corporate career to photography, motivated by his deep appreciation for nature and adventure. This change allowed him to combine his attention to detail with his passion for capturing natural landscapes.

Originally from the Barossa Valley, where his family has lived for seven generations, Luke’s attraction to Tasmania’s landscapes and pristine night skies led him to relocate. Moving from Melbourne and Sydney to Tasmania allowed him to immerse himself in photographing and exploring the state’s wilderness areas.

Luke’s work spans nature, infrared, aerial, and nightscape photography, demonstrating his technical skills and creative approach. He dedicates significant time to planning his shoots and carefully analysing weather patterns. This meticulous preparation allows him to be in the right place at the right time to capture unique light with his infrared camera or photograph phenomena like the Aurora Australis.

Passionate about dark sky preservation, Luke’s astrophotography showcases the beauty of Tasmania’s night skies. His work highlights the importance of protecting these areas from light pollution, recognising their value for ecological balance, cultural significance, and scientific research. Luke actively supports initiatives to maintain and expand dark sky areas in Tasmania and beyond, understanding that these pristine night skies are a precious and increasingly rare natural resource.

A core aspect of Luke’s philosophy is bringing the beauty of the natural world into people’s everyday lives. Whether through online platforms, phone screens, prints, or exhibitions, he strives to create a connection between viewers and these incredible places. By sharing his images, Luke aims to help people feel a profound link to landscapes they may never visit in person, fostering a sense of wonder and appreciation for the world around us.

Luke has received international recognition, including the 2015 International Landscape Photographer of the Year award and the 2018 David Malin Astrophotography Award. As a certified drone operator from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), he has also contributed to aerial cinematography, notably in the 2022 film “Franklin.”

As a Sony Digital Imaging Advocate and regular contributor to Australian Geographic, where his images have been featured on two magazine covers, Luke uses his platform to share his profound appreciation for the environment. Through his work, he strives to reveal the extraordinary beauty of the world around us, from sweeping landscapes to the intricate details of nature. Luke’s ultimate goal is to inspire others to see this beauty for themselves, fostering a collective desire to protect and preserve these precious environments for future generations and the planet as a whole.