bkinnie Loc: Pennsylvannia, living in Florida

When I first bought my brand new Nikon D3200 DSLR I thought wow, I finally have something that I can change the lenses with and set everything manually or automatically. When I first used the camera I was just using the automatic mode. Then I took a trip to Alaska on an organized tour and I convinced myself I was going to be brave and use manual mode only. For 98% of the pictures they came out correctly about 2% I wish I had left the mode in auto. Here is an example of the one picture I had back. The guide only gave us 10 seconds to setup for this shot. As you can se I moved, the train was moving, the shot stinks but I keep it as a memento of what I need to improve on if I ever get to make a shot like that again.

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CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Great example! What you probably saw was a shutter speed too slow for the focal length and the subject movement. Too bad since the colors are very pleasing and the train position would have been nice crossing the water mid-frame. Upping the shutterspeed to at least 1/100 to 1/200, with the corresponding increase in ISO, and you'd have captured the shot. We all miss these just a moment's prep situations. What's important is how we each learn from these situations so the next time that situation arrives, we're ready(er). The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.

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Red Sky At Night

Thanks to everyone who has commented. Somewhere along the way the conversation turned from manual vs aperture to manual vs auto but there is still a lot of good advice here and I appreciate each of you who took the time to post. Thanks.

RickL Loc: Vail, Az

I am a nature photographer and only use manual. For rapid setting changes I use auto iso and the rest straight manual. My wife is also a nature photographer and used auto iso and aperture priority. She used a Nikon D7200 and I a Nikon D850. There is no right or wrong, what is important is that you get an excellent photo.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Maybe because aperture control is partial auto? Three modes, Auto, Manual, Mixed Auto/Manual.

topcat Loc: Alameda, CA

I use aperture most of the time. Often when using flash I use manual. I may use auto ISO in manual when I am needing it, as in bird photography.
Sometimes the shutter speed is important, some times the aperture is. You have to decide which is important.

Nothing is good for everything. You need to use the tools in your toolbox that give the best results.