Top 100 SILive photos of 2014

Bill Lyons award-winning photograph, "Clouds over Manhattan." (Staten Island Advance/Bill Lyons)

Bill Lyons

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The New York Press Club announced its 2015 Journalism Awards, and Advance photographer Bill Lyons took first place in the "Feature Photo: Internet" category with his photo "Clouds over Manhattan."

His work was cited for "display of extraordinary technical and artistic competence, originality, sensitivity and subjectivity in a human interest or feature report."

"Traveling light and armed with his digital Leica, Bill was headed into Manhattan aboard the Staten Island Ferry when he captured this 'epic' display of nature. Bill's persistence paid off, as he shot until the city was enveloped. The image posted to SILive was an instant hit with our readers," said Advance Visuals Manager Steve Zaffarano.

Lyons started his career as a stringer for the Associated Press in Pittsburgh, Pa., following a year studying at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and has worked at daily newspapers in New Castle, Pa., West Chester, Pa., Philadelphia and Manhattan. Throughout his career he has pursued his own personal work and has exhibited his work in numerous solo and group exhibitions. He also serves on the board of the Alice Austen House Museum.

This year's awards will be formally presented at the New York Press Club's Awards and Installation of Officers Dinner on June 8, at Manhattan's Water Club.