When you make a picture in an auto exposure mode your camera will get you an average exposure based on whatever you are metering. Your picture may be good enough in terms of exposure but is probably lacking in the very thing that takes a picture beyond good enough; you, the photographer, are what’s lacking.
When you make a picture in manual exposure mode you are engaged in a thought process.
Your camera does not have a thought.
When you make a picture in manual exposure mode you have the opportunity to base your photograph on how you feel about what you are photographing.
Your camera does not feel.
When you make a picture in manual exposure mode you can create the type of photograph that you want.
Your camera doesn’t know what you want.
When you make a picture in manual exposure mode you use your imagination to create your photograph.
Your camera does not have an imagination.
When you make a picture in manual exposure mode you use your mind instead of an algorithm programmed into your camera.
Your camera does not have a mind.
When you make a picture in manual exposure mode you can think about the possibilities of composition.
Your camera does not think.
When you make a picture in manual exposure mode you get to be creative.
Your camera is not creative.
When you make a picture in an automatic exposure mode all of the above is missing because you, the photographer, are not as involved in the creation of the photograph as you can be.