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Shaw Brothers actor in the 1960s and, later, a film director, Ho Fan's photographic career started in Shanghai, when his father gave him a twin lens Rolleiflex for his 14th birthday. In 1949, Ho's family moved to Hong Kong, where he pursued his passion for taking pictures.

His photographs from the following decades display a fascination with urban life - alleys, slums, markets and streets - and geometric patterns and lines, shadow and light.

Having retired from directing, Ho, who turns 82 tomorrow and now lives in California, in the United States, used old negatives to produce the books Hong Kong Yesterday and The Living Theatre, and has put together a series from the books that is being exhibited in Chai Wan.

"Hong Kong Yesterday", Ho's first major solo exhibition in the city, can be viewed at AO Vertical Art Space, 13/F, Asia One Tower, 8 Fung Yip Street, Chai Wan, until November 24.