Spellbinding images reveal the magic of Hong Kong in the 1950s (and they were shot by a teenager)

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Shafts of light illuminate a quiet back street, boats drift along the bay and children run beneath washing lines – these candid black-and-white images of everyday life in Hong Kong have been captured with a whimsical touch.

As a teenager in 1949, Fan Ho headed to the frenetic metropolis from Shanghai and with a deft hand and an artful eye, began snapping the vibrant street life he encountered.

His distinctive work shot on a Rolleiflex camera plays with light and by sandwiching negatives together he created haunting montages, such as Lost in central 1951, 2013 - which depicts walkers of all ages overlaid with a street scene to evoke the chaos and confusion of losing your bearings.

Mr Ho, who passed away earlier this year, grew up to become an award-winning, internationally celebrated photographer. 

His re-visited his work from these formative years to create montages for an incredible new book, Fan Ho: A Hong Kong Memoir. MailOnline Travel has selected a few of the breath-taking highlights. 

As a teenager in 1949, Fan Ho headed to the frenetic metropolis from Shanghai and with a deft hand and an artful eye, began snapping the vibrant street life he encountered. Pictured left is a back lane in 1960 and right is Lost in central 1951, 2013

These candid black-and-white images of everyday life in Hong Kong have been captured with a whimsical touch

Mr Ho revisited his work from these formative years to create montages and highlights for an incredible new book, Fan Ho: A Hong Kong Memoir

Mr Ho, who passed away earlier this year, grew up to become an award-winning, internationally celebrated photographer

His distinctive work shot on a Rolleiflex camera plays with light and by sandwiching negatives together he later created haunting montages such as this one of work men pushing wheelbarrows

Although Mr Ho's work captures a snapshot of history, his techniques give each image a touch of magic realism

Play time: A tender moment of children darting beneath washing lines as older family members sit beside them