An eye for the image

	Photo by Vern Uyetake

Herald's interest in photography provided him with unique challenges, including physical challenges he was willing to take in order to capture views of the campus from spectacular heights in the late 1930s. He was a professional photographer for less than a decade, and in the winter of 1941–42, in what he identifies as the middle of his career, he selected department heads and principal faculty members at Reed to be the subjects for a display in what is now Vollum College Center. He described his portrait technique–relating the background to the subject's profession–as one popularized by Time magazine. "But I had the damnedest time getting those guys to sit for me. They didn't want to have their photographs taken." His subjects included Professors Cerf, F.L. and L.E. Griffin, Knowlton, Noble, Reynolds, and Woodbridge.

Prior to this, President Keezer offered him a job teaching photography at Reed, but realized that if Herald were without academic qualifications, the curriculum committee would not accept the proposal. In summer 1941 Herald studied at Art Center School, the premier photo-graphy school in Los Angeles. He returned to Reed and enrolled a class of nine students, and built the darkroom in the basement of the old student union building, using any scraps of wood or plywood that could be found. Seven of his students became professional photographers.

After graduating from Reed, newlyweds Herald and Virginia weathered the rationing and hardships of WWII, raised a family, and have been involved in local community and college efforts for more than 70 years. Herald had a 28-year career in industrial relations at Pacific Power & Light, and Virginia initiated the Annual Festival of the Arts and led fundraising efforts for Lake Oswego's public library. Herald served on the city council, was mayor for two terms, and was instrumental in establishing the Oswego Heritage Council. Described as "community treasures," the Campbells were honored by the City of Lake Oswego at the 1998 dedication of the Campbell Native Garden on Iron Mountain Boulevard. Virginia and Herald still live in Lake Oswego, although they've moved from their home into a retirement community near their friends and family.