Is it possible to become a good ferrographer without knowing too much about lubrication systems and lubrication practices?

I will not help but the critical knowledge is of equipment its self, for example if you are looking at a ferrogram of a engine oil sample you should know the composition of the bearings and understand what you are seeing. Ferrogaphy is a skill that requires advanced mechanical, chemical, wear analysis, metallurgical and contamination knowledge.

Ps (the big grey flakes are glyptal (paint).