A native of Guangdong born in Shanghai on 8 October 1931, Ho Fan came to Hong Kong at the age of 18 and studied in The Evening School of Higher Chinese Studies and New Asia College. Ho has dedicated much of his time to literature and photography since his school days. His photography was well-known for using light, shadow and composition to create a sense of drama, capturing the appearance of small people in Hong Kong, and has won numerous international awards. He passed away in California on 19 June 2016.