The image paints a peaceful scene, but for the woman behind the camera, it represents hours of shivering and waiting patiently to get that perfect shot.

"It was a lot of sitting out in the cold at night taking long exposures," Lisa Bertolin said.

"To be honest I could have probably picked a warmer hobby to do during winter in Griffith but it is great fun."

Mrs Bertolin took the photo a couple months ago, and despite the fact it looks like something out of a painting, it was actually her very first experience capturing the night sky.

"I've been into photography pretty much since I was a child but astrophotography is a new hobby that I've found myself in," she said.

"I did a course not long ago and the Lake Wyangan photo was kind of my first attempt at it and it was just super fun."

According to Mrs Bertolin, it was a love for the stars above Griffith which drew her towards the style.

"I just love the night sky and we're really lucky here in Griffith that we've got big beautiful open skies with no lights that hinder us like in the city," she said.

"We take it for granted a bit. We live in a beautiful area and it's just as good at night time and it's good to show that off."

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Her image was named the winner in Griffith City Council's We Love Griffith photography competition, earning her a prize of $300.

All the photographs submitted to the competition will also be included in a public exhibition put on by council later this year, which Mrs Bertolin says is "even more special than the win".

"Winning was a big surprise and I really appreciate the acknowledgement and all the nice comments," she said.

Second place in the competition went to Paul Penrith for his shot of goats clashing atop Scenic Hill, while Isis Ronan was awarded third place for her image of children playing in nature.

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