"Salon's odd-job man" was how Ho Chung-hei 何宗熹 modestly described himself. His name is familiar to all those photographers who exhibited at international salons in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. His own salon career began in 1950, and he qualified as fellow of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain in 1956.
Ho Chung-hei was salon secretary of the Photographic Society of Hong Kong in
1957-58, which marked the beginning of a long association with salon affairs. He was salon chairman of the Chinese Photographic Association of Hong Kong in 1958-60, during which term the Society held its first international salon. In those days all the committee members were novices in the organization of salons, but under Ho Chung-hei's supervision, a firm foundation was laid for the Society's future salons.
Thoroughly versed in salon affairs, he paid minute attention to every detail, and was helpful to others, particularly younger colleagues. He was so engrossed in his work that he often went without meals or sleep.
Thanks to Ho Chung-hei's hard work, a close relationship was forged between Hong Kong's photographic bodies and their counterparts in other parts of the world. For his tireless promotion of Hong Kong photograph, his distinguished record in organizing international salons and his own photographic achievement, he was awarded the United States' Chicago Medal, and fellowship of the Chinese Photographic Association of Hong Kong: