"M" vs "P"

as my mentor leila says, "I DARE you to shoot in manual!"

I've been shooting in manual for about six months now. And for about six months, I've been seeing my abilities as a photographer improve drastically.

shooting in manual, while tricky at first, is WORLDS better than shooting in "P" (program) mode. let me show you what i mean with two pictures I took at lunch one day with ryan. these pictures are "SOOC" (straight out of the camera).

"P" mode:

"M" mode:

I know it's hard, and I think this is where the "practice, practice, practice!" chanting comes in. but, when i see what comes out of my camera? it inspires me.