He looks for a perfect moment in time, a perfect time of day when the light is right, to capture images around Maitland and the world.

“There are breathtaking moments to be seen anywhere, especially around Maitland,” he said.

Lechner is referring to his beautiful image called Melville Morning Mist, shot at Melville Ford, near Rutherford, which hangs on an office wall inside a Maitland business.

“This image is as beautiful as any other taken any place in the world.

“It is a part of Rutherford as it has never been seen.”

Lechner had only minutes to grab his camera, stand on the Melville Ford bridge and take the shot while the sun was in a perfect position.

“Two minutes later it was gone,” he said.

Lechner described himself as a ­traveller and photographer and has returned from two weeks living alone with his camera in Iceland.

“I chose Iceland because it is a baron, isolated, sparsely populated, spectacular place. I spent two days without seeing another person.”

In Iceland, Lechner photographed “the most stunning landscapes in the world” which will go on exhibition in Newcastle next October.

Lechner will travel to France next month as Australian team ­photographer for the World Equestrian Games in Normandy and plans to exhibit his Hunter Valley images in New York City early next year.

Meanwhile, Lechner has chosen eight limited edition pieces, including two images from his Iceland adventure, for the inaugural RAW Newcastle event called Communiqué at the Great Northern Hotel this Friday night. 

He is one of 30 artists showcasing their talents in fashion, music, visual and performing arts for one night only.