Figure 3-1.—Subject of a personality feature in her environment.

JO1 Jim Bryant Figure 3-1.—Subject of a personality feature in her environment. · Telling of characteristic mannerisms and actions · Using direct quotations in a characteristic manner · Actually describing the subject’s personal appearance, demeanor, facial expressions and dress in his or her environment (fig. 3-1) · Giving the opinions of others about the subject · Showing how friends and associates react to the subject The following personality feature excerpts should help you see how some of the techniques are used: Bryan Tyler of the station’s imaging facility approaches his art seriously — with strong conviction and knowledge developed by extensive formal training and much practice. He does not like photo contests but has won many. He would rather focus on the effects of people than photograph people themselves — but does both well. ... Tyler is a sensitive artist who why he takes photographs. ... “I like taking peopleless photographs that relate directly to man either by content or implication,” as Tyler puts it. During a tour of duty in Washington, the lanky Virginian worked primarily with official portraits. “It can be frustrating shooting portraits,” emphasizes Tyler as he strokes his bushy black hair. “Everyone dressed the same with his only identity worn on his sleeve and placed in the same sterile environment. The portraits I keep, and feel satisfied with, show people in their own environment, or in a meaningful situation, hopefully conveying some insight into the subject.” “In Petty Officer Tyler, I think we have one of the Navy’s finest,” said his commanding officer, Capt. Rose Grosbeak. “There’s not one person here who doesn’t feel that way about Bryan.” Tyler finds stimulation and excitement in searching for and producing meaningful photographs, even in the most mundane jobs. ... “Photography should never end,” Tyler reflects. “All you should do is change subjects and fulfill some meaningful purpose, either to me or to the person for whom I am shooting.” The material presented here gives the beginning feature writer a start in the right direction. Writing courses, taken from time to time, can help. Criticism from experienced feature writers and editors is a great aid. Studying the work of other writers, as mentioned earlier, is a fine guide to improvement. Reading about writing alone, however, never taught anyone to write. Like the disciplines of newswriting, the art of feature writing is learned by doing — by writing. 3-8