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