is, it should come as high as possible in the paragraph. Many times it will be possible to identify people at the same time the action is described. For example, in the statement  “Seaman  Apprentice  Jay  B.  McMannus sounds taps to climax Memorial Day ceremonies . ...” the identification is included as the subject of the action. Sometimes,  however,  it  may  be  preferable  to  use  an impersonal  identification  (such  as  “A  Navy  musician sounds  ...”)  in  the  first  sentence.  In  that  case,  the complete   identification   should   come   in   the   second sentence. The only exception to the ground rule previously stated is in the case of group identification. When there are several people to be identified in a photograph, it is better that you not clutter the first two sentences with a list of names. This is apt to discourage the reader from finishing the cutline. The recommended way to handle a  group  photograph  is  that  you  use  an  impersonal identification in the first sentence (such as, “A group of sailors . ..”). then list the names later in the cutline. This achieves complete identification without cluttering the important first sentence. The  identification  itself  can  be  handled  in  one  of several ways. The idea is to handle it in the most natural and concise reamer consistent with clarity. The best way to  identify  people  is  by  action.  If  Kip  Karuthers  is throwing a pass to Ronnie Gate, it should be obvious from  the  photograph  which  one  is  passing  and  which one is receiving the ball. Thus they are identified by their activity,  and  you  will  not  have  to  use  left  and  right identifications. Another simple manner of identifying people in a photograph  is  by  obvious  contrast.  If  there  are  two sailors and an officer in a photograph, it is not necessary to identify the officer as being to the left, or in the center. The   officer   is   well-identified   by   obvious   contrast, therefore, place identification would be superfluous. Identification  by  elimination  is  slightly  more complex. Suppose there are four people in a photograph. One of them is receiving a medal from another. These two are identified by the action. A third person is the award  recipient’s  wife.  She  is  identified  by  obvious contrast.  Therefore,  the  fourth  person  is  identified  by elimination. For example, the identification in the cutline might be handled in the following manner: “Lt.  Wayne  E.  Pilot  receives  the  Distinguished Flying Cross from his squadron leader, Cmdr. William A.  Aviator.  Lt.  Pilot’s  wife,  Gertrude,  and  Lt.  Cmdr. Thomas V. Hoek, VAP-99 XO, look on.” Finally, there is the traditional left, right, center or “from the left” identification. It is not necessary to say “from left to right.” This wastes space. If one starts from the left, there is no place to go but right! Use this type of   identification   only   when   the   other   means   of identification will not suffice or when there is a chance of the reader becoming confused. In  cutline  identification,  avoid  bromides,  such  as “pictured  above”  or  “shown  above.”  It  is  apparent  to both the editor and the reader that something is pictured or shown above the cutline. Even worse are such phrases as “posing for this picture are . ..” or “smiling for the camera is . ..” The Background Information The   third   component   of   the   cutline   is   the background  information.  This  consists  of  additional facts or explanations needed to clarify the subject matter of  the  photograph.  The  length  of  this  section  of  the cutline depends on two factors mentioned earlier: (1) where  the  photograph  will  be  used  and  (2)  how  the photograph  will  be  used. The amount of background information needed to explain a photograph of carrier operations to a civilian reader  will  obviously  be  greater  than  that  needed  to explain it to crew members who are participating in such operations. If a photograph is to accompany a news story, do not duplicate details used in the story. If the photograph is to be used alone, the cutline must be complete. Cutlines prepared for picture stories are similar to those written for single photographs, except that a story is told by means of a series of related photographs. In this case, a main cutline, usually written for the lead or key  photograph  of  the  story,  can  supply  background information  for  the  entire  story. Although  present  tense  is  used  to  describe  the action, the correct past, present or future tense is used when  presenting  background  facts  related  to  the  action. However, you should be careful of changing tenses in the middle of a sentence. The Credit Line The last component of the cutline is the credit line. Most ship and station newspapers use credit lines for photographs. 9-15