Luke Tscharke (pronounced “Shar-key”) is a passionate Australian landscape photographer, based in Hobart, Tasmania. His 15-year journey in photography was founded in his profound appreciation for nature and a spirit for adventure, and led him to trade his corporate career as a quality assurance professional and a scientific background in biology for his true calling. This transition matched his meticulous attention to detail and high standards with a desire to represent the wonder of the natural world through his lens, creating uncomplicated yet iconic compositions that form an intimate connection between the viewer and the landscapes he photographs.

Originally from the Barossa Valley, where his family history spans over seven generations, Luke’s love for Tasmania’s wild landscapes propelled him to swap city living in Melbourne and Sydney for the adventure of a lifetime. Trading his lab coat for a camera, he immersed himself in Tasmania’s breathtaking wilderness, persistently refining his craft with advanced Sony camera equipment and the latest processing software.

His distinctive portfolio showcases a thoughtful blend of nature, infra-red, aerial, and nightscape photography. Luke’s adventurous spirit guides him on bushwalks with his infra-red camera, capturing landscapes in transient light, and navigating the challenges of unpredictable weather to present rarely-seen nocturnal landscapes. A true night sky enthusiast, Luke is enthralled by the ephemeral beauty of Aurora Australis, devoting countless hours to chasing clear night skies to photograph these southern lights.

Recognised with the 2015 International Landscape Photographer of the Year and the 2018 David Malin Astrophotography Award, Luke’s expertise also extends to aerial cinematography as a certified drone operator from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). His contributions to the 2022 film “Franklin” demonstrate his aptitude in this field.

In addition to his individual accomplishments, Luke’s distinctive photographic style has also garnered attention from notable organisations, brands and charities. He’s proud to be a Sony Digital Imaging Advocate, a role that not only aligns with his passion for innovative technology but also allows him to represent a brand that played a significant role in shaping his personal photography journey and the industry more broadly. His reputation and expertise in the field have led him to become a regular contributor to Australian Geographic, where his enchanting images of Australia’s diverse landscapes not only contribute to the magazine’s mission of inspiring discovery and understanding of the country, but also resulted in two of his photos gracing the magazine’s covers.

Luke’s ultimate aim is to bring moments of beauty into people’s lives through his images, softly reminding us of our fleeting presence within these unspoiled landscapes, and reinforcing that, despite life’s turbulence, the world remains a place of incredible beauty. By sharing these awe-inspiring scenes, he hopes to encourage viewers to adopt a sense of stewardship, protecting and cherishing the extraordinary world we inhabit.

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Luke Tscharke

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Partnerships

Sony Australia: I am a Digital Imaging Advocate for Sony Australia. In 2004, when I was first getting into digital photography, I purchased a 5-megapixel Sony DSC-V1. Down the track in 2015 when I began taking photography very seriously, I began shooting on a Sony A7R, and since then have also shot with the Sony cameras A7RII, A7S, A7III, A7RIII, A7RIV and now on an A7RV and A7IV. I still have that original A7R camera and have converted it for infra-red photography at 850nm.

I absolutely love photographing with Sony equipment. The smaller size and lower weight make them ideal for hiking and outdoor work without compromising on image quality. I am thrilled to partner with Sony Australia and offer workshops and events via the Sony Scene Website

Awards

  • 2023 David Malin Astrophotography Awards – Runner Up Nightscapes
    2023 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year – Winner of Monochrome Categoy
    2023 Australian Photographic Prize – Semi-Finalist in Astrophotography
  • 2022 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year – Finalist in Astrophotography
  • 2019 David Malin Astrophotography Awards – Winner Photo Editor’s Choice
    2019 Sony Alpha Photography Awards – Judge (Astrophotography)
  • 2018 David Malin Astrophotography Awards – Overall Winner
    2018 David Malin Astrophotography Awards – Winner Nightscapes
    2018 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year – Finalist in Landscapes
  • 2017 Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year – Finalist in Nightscapes
    2017 David Malin Astrophotography Awards – Winner Photo Editor’s Choice
    2017 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year – Judge
  • 2016 Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) NSW Emerging Photographer of the Year
    2016 Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) APPA – 1x Silver Distinction, 2x Silver
    2016 Black and White Spider Awards – Professional Nature – Second Place
    2016 Capture Magazine Australia’s Top Emerging Photographer 2016 – Landscape Category winner
    2016 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year – 3 x finalist images in Landscape and Monochrome
    2016 Tasmanian Nature and Landscape Photography Award – Winner and Third place in ‘Wild Landscapes’ category
  • 2015 International Landscape Photographer of the Year – Winner of Photograph of the Year
    2015 Monochrome Awards – Monochrome Photographer of the Year – Grand Prize Winner
    2015 Monochrome Awards – Landscape, Professional – First Place
    2015 International Photographer of the Year – Winner of Fine Art: Landscapes category
    2015 Better Photography Awards – Classic Landscapes – Gold and category Winner
    2015 ANZANG Nature Photographer of the Year – Landscape category – finalist
    2015 Focus Photography Awards – Photographer of the Year – First Place
    2015 Focus Photography Awards – Image of the Year – Second Place
    2015 Focus Photography Awards – First Place in Landscape and Creative categories
    2015 Epson International Pano Awards – Open nature – Gold (13th place)
    2015 International Photography Awards – Nature, Landscapes – Honourable Mention
  • 2014 Epson International Pano Awards – Amateur Built Environment – 13th and 38th
    2014 Epson International Pano Awards – Amateur Nature – Bronze
    2014 Focus Awards – Cityscape category – winner
    2014 Focus Awards – Black and White category – winner and runner up
    2014 Focus Awards – Photographer of the Year – 4th place
  • 2013 Fujifilm X Landscape Photographer of the Year 2013 – Finalist and 5th position
    2013 Photoblog Awards – Best Landscape Photography – winner
    2013 International Loupe Awards – Open Landscape – 20th overall
    2013 International Loupe Awards – Amateur Landscape – 11th overall
    2013 Focus Awards – Photographer of the Year – runner up
    2013 Focus Awards – Cityscape category – winner

Publications

  • Australian Geographic Magazine
    Australian Geographic: Jan-Feb 2018 Western Arthurs Feature Story
    Australian Geographic 2018 Landscape Calendar
    Australian Geographic: July-Aug 2016 – Photographing Aurora Australis tips box
    Australian Geographic: Mar-Apr 2016 – Big Picture Feature
    Australian Geographic: Sept-Oct 2015 – Photographing the Milky Way tips box
    Australian Geographic: July-Aug 2015 – ANZANG Shortlisted image
    Australian Geographic Adventures: Special Edition June 2015 – cover image
    Australian Geographic: May-June 2015 – cover image
  • Australia Post
    Great Walks of Australia Commemorative Medallion – inner cover
  • Australian Photography Magazine
    Australian Photography Magazine December 2017 – Magazine Cover
    Australian Photography Magazine April 2017 – Astrophotography feature
    Australian Photography Magazine December 2016 – Seascapes feature
    Australian Photography Magazine October 2016 – Bucket-list article
    Australian Photography Magazine September 2016 – Infrared article
    Australian Photography Magazine June 2016 – cover image
  • Better Photography Magazine
    Better Photography Magazine Issue 82 – cover image
  • Bureau of Meteorology
    Cover of 2018 Weather Calendar
  • Capture Magazine
    Capture Magazine: May-June 2016 – Australia’s Top Emerging Photographers 2016 feature
  • Landscope Magazine (Conservation and Land Management Western Australia)
    Landscope 2016 Calendar
    Landscope Volume 30 Number 2 – cover image
  • Pittwater Life Magazine
    Pittwater Life May 2016 – cover image
  • Practical Photography Magazine (UK)
    Practical Photography Magazine Sepetember 2016 – “Developing your landscape style” article
  • REEF Magazine (Hamilton Island Magazine)
    Reef Magazine Issue 14 – cover image

Exhibitions

  • Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
    2018 – South Australian Museum: 1 exhibited image
    2018 – Australian Museum (Sydney): 1 exhibited image
    2016 – South Australian Museum: 3 exhibited images
    2016 – Australian Museum (Sydney): 3 exhibited images
    2015 – South Australian Museum: 1 exhibited image
  • Head on Photo Festival (Sydney)
    2016 – AIPP Award Winners Exhibition
    2015 – AddOn Photographic Exhibition