John Ewing served as a staff photographer at the Portland Press Herald for 33 years, capturing iconic images of Maine people, landscapes and news events from 1981 to 2014. Known for his precision, artistry, and quiet humility, Ewing consistently produced award-winning work, especially during high school basketball tournament season — his favorite time of year.

But his legacy extends well beyond his photographs. Ewing was a mentor to generations of photojournalists, offering encouragement, technical advice and genuine excitement for their work. As one former intern put it, “What I remember about John is that he is the kindest photojournalist I’ve ever met.”