Technology vs. Skills
by Bryan Lindsey
BCL Photography
One of the first basic principles to learn about photography is its two parts – art and science. It is the mix of these two elements that draws so many of us towards photography. Artistic elements include composition and lighting. “Scientific” elements include metering and exposure. And of course, there is a great deal of overlap between the two. Technology has made these scientific elements much easier to deal with, which in turn makes it easier to take a “good” photo. This is the main reason for the proliferation of “professional” photographers these days.
The trap that many fall into though, is putting technology ahead of skills. While it is true that a better tool will do a better job, it is incumbent upon the user of the tool to know when and how to use the tool most effectively. Similarly, anyone can start out with thousands of dollars worth of cameras, lenses, and lights, but without the skills and experience that come with knowing and using those tools, they will have limited value. And we can go a step further and say that if sales and marketing skills are lacking, no amount of equipment will make a photographer into a salesman. But we’ll focus on just one limit for now – equipment.
Someone once told me not to upgrade equipment until I was limited by it. All of us are limited by something – equipment, 
skills, time, marketing/sales ability, etc. We may fall into the trap of thinking “if only I had the XXX body,” or “if only I had the XXX lens.” Well, are we maximizing the equipment we have now? I’m not a photographic giant like some others here, but I can offer this experience: I began with a Nikon D80 and almost immediately thought about upgrading. It was at this time that I received the advice not to upgrade equipment until I was limited by it. I learned that D80 inside and out. I finally felt that I was limited by the camera body and upgraded to a D300. Now I am no longer limited by the camera body, I am limited by my knowledge of that tool. When I master it, I will upgrade again.
In conclusion, we are all limited by something. If you want to move forward, find out what is holding you back, and start working on it.
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Bryan LindseyBCL Photography
Houston Wedding and Portrait Photographer
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A great article and it arrived at a great time in my life when I was thinking about being limited by my equipment. Now it may be time to reconsider without the upgrade.
This was a great read. I fall into the trap very often of wanting to buy more equipment all the time. I agree completely that we should be limited by our equipment before we upgrade.
[...] 04:57 PM I would get the D300 I blogged about this a while ago: Professional Photography Forum | Technology vs. Skills | Pro Photo Business Forum ————————— BCL Photography Houston Wedding and Portrait [...]