Stop. Look Both Ways
by Murray Savidan
Stop. Look Both Ways, Photography by Murray Savidan is a book of non-commissioned photographs taken from 1967 through to 2024.
It is not a celebration of Savidan’s career as he is much more than a street photographer. In fact, he has been a leader in the field for over 50 years as a fashion photographer, commercial director, studio photographer and street photographer both in Aotearoa and overseas. Savidan has also worked in film, shooting films and commercials and working as a cameraman and director.
I was very keen to review this book. As an amateur photographer myself and someone who follows many Instagram pages of street photographers I was fascinated to see if street photography has changed over the last 50 years or if the essence was still the same in 1967 compared to now. Clearly technology and processing images has changed, but has the relationship between the photographer and subject changed?
The large, linen-bound, hardback book transports you to 188 images from Japan, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Cuba, New Orleans, Egypt, Rome, Shanghai, Greece, New Zealand, Nepal, Germany, France, Australia and more.
I enjoyed referring to the image index to see where the photographs were taken. Did I identify the location correctly?
Savidan goes one step further and, when it added to the image, he shared more information or his thoughts about it; for instance page 55, Madagascar, 2011. ‘This dignified man told me proudly that he was 83 years old.’ And, page 182, Peru, 2008. ‘We stopped here briefly on the train to Cusco. It was about 14,000 feet above sea level.’ It was also helpful to have the year and technical details of what camera was used.
I was not surprised to learn that, growing up, Savidan’s parents had a subscription to the National Geographic magazine. As a small boy he was transported from Remuera to new environments, cultures and people. You can see the influence of this in his multi-cultural photography.
When you pore over the 226 pages you quickly realise that Savidan ignores the rules when it comes to composition and editing. You could argue that several images are too dark to see the fine details. But it is also intriguing to think why has he done this? Does he want the image to portray an emotion or does Savidan want you to slow down and look deeper?
You also get a sense of Savidan breaking the rules when it comes to the composition of the book. The images are not ordered chronologically or by location. It makes the experience of looking through the book a fun adventure for your brain, as you are taken from Hue, Vietnam to Antananarivo, Madagascar in a sweeping look.
Savidan is a photographer who likes to tell stories, but his name is not on every New Zealanders lips when they are asked to list New Zealand photographers. Savidan either shies away from the limelight or is the perfect street photographer as his focus is blending into the environment and capturing a story or moment. With no ambition to receive thousands of likes for his image on Instagram or Facebook, but to capture and experience something unique. Similar to catch-and-release fishing, you have a moment of joy and you can choose to share the experience through an image with others or not.
Stop. Look Both Ways is a fascinating insight into Savidan’s travel and experiences in Aotearoa, New Zealand and overseas. I enjoyed the experiences and felt honoured that he was willing to share these unique images in this book.
by Murray Savidan
Stop. Look Both Ways, Photography by Murray Savidan is a book of non-commissioned photographs taken from 1967 through to 2024.
It is not a celebration of Savidan’s career as he is much more than a street photographer. In fact, he has been a leader in the field for over 50 years as a fashion photographer, commercial director, studio photographer and street photographer both in Aotearoa and overseas. Savidan has also worked in film, shooting films and commercials and working as a cameraman and director.
I was very keen to review this book. As an amateur photographer myself and someone who follows many Instagram pages of street photographers I was fascinated to see if street photography has changed over the last 50 years or if the essence was still the same in 1967 compared to now. Clearly technology and processing images has changed, but has the relationship between the photographer and subject changed?
The large, linen-bound, hardback book transports you to 188 images from Japan, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Cuba, New Orleans, Egypt, Rome, Shanghai, Greece, New Zealand, Nepal, Germany, France, Australia and more.
I enjoyed referring to the image index to see where the photographs were taken. Did I identify the location correctly?
Savidan goes one step further and, when it added to the image, he shared more information or his thoughts about it; for instance page 55, Madagascar, 2011. ‘This dignified man told me proudly that he was 83 years old.’ And, page 182, Peru, 2008. ‘We stopped here briefly on the train to Cusco. It was about 14,000 feet above sea level.’ It was also helpful to have the year and technical details of what camera was used.
I was not surprised to learn that, growing up, Savidan’s parents had a subscription to the National Geographic magazine. As a small boy he was transported from Remuera to new environments, cultures and people. You can see the influence of this in his multi-cultural photography.
When you pore over the 226 pages you quickly realise that Savidan ignores the rules when it comes to composition and editing. You could argue that several images are too dark to see the fine details. But it is also intriguing to think why has he done this? Does he want the image to portray an emotion or does Savidan want you to slow down and look deeper?
You also get a sense of Savidan breaking the rules when it comes to the composition of the book. The images are not ordered chronologically or by location. It makes the experience of looking through the book a fun adventure for your brain, as you are taken from Hue, Vietnam to Antananarivo, Madagascar in a sweeping look.
Savidan is a photographer who likes to tell stories, but his name is not on every New Zealanders lips when they are asked to list New Zealand photographers. Savidan either shies away from the limelight or is the perfect street photographer as his focus is blending into the environment and capturing a story or moment. With no ambition to receive thousands of likes for his image on Instagram or Facebook, but to capture and experience something unique. Similar to catch-and-release fishing, you have a moment of joy and you can choose to share the experience through an image with others or not.
Stop. Look Both Ways is a fascinating insight into Savidan’s travel and experiences in Aotearoa, New Zealand and overseas. I enjoyed the experiences and felt honoured that he was willing to share these unique images in this book.
Review by Renee Hollis
Title: Stop. Look Both Ways
Author: Murray Savidan
Publisher: Ugly Hill Press
ISBN: 9781738583676
RRP: $70
Available: bookshops
Author: Murray Savidan
Publisher: Ugly Hill Press
ISBN: 9781738583676
RRP: $70
Available: bookshops
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