elGrando, like Kiwi, I think it's the photo that counts. Some people enjoy the act of making the photograph more than others, just as some enjoy the end product more so than the process. Whatever motivates you and offers you enjoyment. For what it's worth, most photographers shoot in some sort of Auto mode, whether it be autofocus, autoexposure, or FULL auto everything. I can set my 35mm lens at F9.5, focus at infinity, set my meter to the ambient light, and I've got myself a fully mechanical camera that can be simply used to point and shoot for most situations that arise. No auto, but just as much/little works goes into a single shot, after the initial setup, yet making the photograph is hardly less enjoyable.