I use the Adobe Creative Cloud as my post-processing toolset. I also own the DxO brand NIK toolset, which I use on occasion. Over the last year, I’ve tried to learn more about PS and how best to process my better shots using that tool. I feel there is a “richness” apparent in the result that I don’t see from LR. (That’s not a bash against LR! All my work starts and ends in LR) I believe it the result of endless adjustment options. So, I was processing images of a family gathering, and as you know, it’s difficult to throw many of those shots out. Plus, knowing everyone would want copies, I wanted them to look nice. I would be working all those images through PS, which was gonna take a while considering my LR workflow. But, I didn’t want to forsake the strengths of LR! On a whim, I hit the AUTO button on the first image and was impressed with the result. It was a wonderful starting point to take to PS, and it didn’t take long to get there. What’s more, the images I didn’t take through PS were “presentable”.

Has anyone else used the AUTO button?

I think you achieved your stated goals wonderfully, Frank. Here is a crop for your consideration. I feel the amount of negative space in the frame is a drawback as it's more difficult to see the textures and excellent lighting.

At first I wished for more space at the top also but this crop looks balanced to me. The light and line of the table grain lead us at a nice angle to the subject. I'm on the fence about the one little wick that is visible. Kind of quirky and fun