A visiting lawyer's photograph of a dramatic sunrise over St. George's snapped as he was leaving on a cruise ship won a National Geographic Traveler photo competition prize this month.

Art Bova, who travelled with his wife and daughter to the Island last summer, took the merit prize-winning photo of St. George's Harbour as they were leaving the Island.

Mr. Bova, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is no stranger to winning photo competitions since he began taking photos a decade ago.

"I have won quite a few competitions ? I've never counted how many, but I think it is over 100," said Mr. Bova.

"There were over 14,000 people from 63 countries, who entered this competition.

"I have lots of other pictures of Bermuda."

The 57 year old, who has visited the Island before, said although he could not remember what the ship was called, he knew that it was a Norwegian Cruise Line ship.

"I love coming out of New York Harbour and then coming into the various ports around Bermuda," said the attorney.

"The hillside was at a 90-degree angle and the sunrise was bright red ? it was a beautiful contrast with the white roofs.

"I live out here (in New Mexico) and although we have the stucco, the colours are all earth tones. Bermuda has a variety of colours and the white roofs set it off."

He said he and his family have travelled all over the world and he takes pictures wherever he goes.

"It gives you and your friends a chance to view the places where you have been," said Mr. Bova.

Mr. Bova said he planned to come back to the Island to do some scuba diving to see the reefs and wrecks.