Owning a high-end mirrorless camera makes people think they're a photographer, but the gear isn't what creates compelling images. I've seen $4,000 cameras produce boring shots next to a phone photo that captured raw emotion at a protest last summer. The obsession with megapixels and lens sharpness distracts from learning composition, light, and timing. Skill beats equipment every time, yet beginners chase specs before they even understand exposure.