Launch of the new edition of the Stop-System
The new edition of the book Photograph Like a Pro with Spéos and the Stop-System Method, written by Pierre-Yves Mahé and Philippe Bachelier, will be presented on Wednesday 28 January 2026 from 6 pm at Quai de la Photo.
On the occasion of this presentation, the authors will be present to meet the public and sign the book. The evening will be a time for exchange, open to photographers, students, and anyone interested in the foundations, history, and practice of photography.
A book rooted in teaching and transmission
Developed more than 20 years ago, the Stop-System is closely linked to photographic education.
It has been taught for many years within the Spéos photography school, which has sponsored the Maison Niépce since 1999. The book reflects this pedagogical experience and offers a structured approach, conceived as a long-term working tool.
This event marks the publication of a reference work dedicated to understanding and mastering light in photography, in an updated version adapted to contemporary digital practices.
The Stop System: understanding light, from its origins to today
A method based on the essential principles of photography — aperture, shutter speed, and sensitivity — the Stop-System is part of a historical continuity that runs through the entire evolution of the medium.
From the first experiments of Nicéphore Niépce to today’s digital sensors, understanding light remains at the heart of every photographic image. The Stop System provides a methodological framework for analyzing a lighting situation and linking photographic intention with technical settings.
A relevant method in the digital era
While photographic tools have evolved profoundly, the issue of exposure remains central. Automation, immediate image review, and post-production have changed practices, without replacing the need to understand what the camera is doing.
Adapted to digital photography, the Stop-System enables photographers to move beyond automation and maintain conscious control over exposure and image rendering.
Practical information
Presentation of the new edition of the Stop System
