Feature Writing vs. News Writing

In my limited experience with feature writing and news writing, I seem to prefer feature writing. The primary reason for this is that with feature writing I get to choose the person, event, or place about which the article is written. It is much easier to write about things you are passionate about. News writing is dictated by the story. It is much more difficult to write about subject's for which you don't have a passion. I remember experiencing this as a young person. We would be asked to write reports about books we read in elementary school and middle school. If it was a book I didn't enjoy, I remember stretching every word like a football referee stretches a first down marker. Then, I read the book "The Count of Monte Cristo". It was the easiest book report I have ever written. I remember not straining to remember any details about that book because I loved it. The pages came alive for me. It was fun for me to recount the story and the impact it had on me. 

I assume that news writers have to find an angle of the news story that is appealing to them or become adept at putting themselves in the shoes of their readers that would have a passion for the story. I would also surmise this is a talent similar to others that need to be developed with practice and repetition. I expect that being exposed to more things causes you to find stories you are interested in. However, there is no substitute for finding your passion and being able to pour your heart into something you love.