A better camera or lens or gadget does not make you a better photographer. It simply opens a new world of possibilities. It allows you to capture more detail, sharper details, less grain etc.. It allows you to shoot in lower light or difficult light. These upgrades just provide opportunities. A new camera or lens might allow you to capture more details in the shadows or highlights or both you could then possibly push your photoshop / lightroom skills to a new level. It might even speed up your work flow.

A lot of pros will tell you it is not the gear that makes the photo it is the photographer and while this is generally true there are those times when it was the sharpness of a lens or dynamic range of an DSLR that makes all the difference. Its not like they would do a whole studio shoot or a wedding with a compact point and shoot. While they would nail the composition the camera is simply not capable of the results of an DSLR.

I agree with this article, and is something I think about often. And as a musician too, I totally relate to the guitar reference and often make the same analogy myself. However I don’t think GAS is a bad thing.. new gear excites me and keeps me motivated to try new stuff. I just sold my 5D2 to get a 5D3. Is it gonna make me a better photographer? No. But it will give me bragging rights and make me think I’m a better photographer :p

I understand the want to have the newest latest greatest, and I have worked weddings in Vegas for more than a year, I have a pretty awesome portfolio put together of fashion, lingerie and weddings. But I am only 3 years into the industry and I’m using a Canon Rebel T1i. Most people scoff when they hear or see what I have to work with and I have been turned down for many jobs because my gear hasnt been upgraded yet. I say take a look at my images. Not my camera. Those who actually see my images have been quite happy to hire me for work.