I find I use manual mode whenever I'm using the camera with any other tool, whether that's a strobe or a tripod. Beyond the parent comment, the key to getting

I find I use manual mode whenever I'm using the camera with any other tool, whether that's a strobe or a tripod. Beyond the parent comment, the key to getting the priority modes to work is separating focus and meter-- most modern cameras can put these functions on separate buttons. Fix ISO 100 outdoors and 800 indoors, and let the camera do the math. ...but if you want to learn manual mode, get a film camera without a meter and shoot two rolls.