Pascale...one thing I do because I am a beginner is set it to auto first...check out what exposures it reads, then go into manual mode and adjust to my liking there.You know if you want a bit longer exposure then perhaps instead of 1/250 you can go 1/125 or what you want. Easy to re adjust the white balance too.I have no problem taking 3 or four shots at different settings, then next time I know what worked. If you have a hard time remembering...like me...then you could always write down a few typical settings you use. Great thing about digital is the data you get afterwards. You can also set your LCD to display the histogram right after you shoot.

"The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the mastery of his passions."