Maria

You will not be out of your depth with a DSLR camera nor will it be a waste of money.

All the cameras made for the amateur market have an auto mode and there is absolutely no reason in the world why you should not use it. They also have semi auto modes where you choose one setting and the camera does the rest. Most. the vast majority, of shots you see on sites like this have been taken using these modes and the person who uses manual mode is the rarity.  They are a great rarity amongst professional photographers too ; )

Part of the joy of photography and owning a camera is the learning process.  People take many years to master their cameras, some never want to, preferring to concentrate on the artistic content not the technicalities.  You use the camera how it suits you, what gives you the most enjoyment. 

You will have far more options available to you by owning a DSLR to expand horizons and enhance your hobby. There will always be people willing to help - photographers love talking about their cameras - you just have to be selective in which bits of advice suit you best. 

HTH

Richard.

 

 

 

And every one said, 'If we only live,
We too will go to sea in a Sieve,---
To the hills of the Chankly Bore!'
Far and few, far and few, Are the lands where the Jumblies live;
Their heads are green, and their hands are blue, And they went to sea in a Sieve.

Edward Lear
http://www.nonsenselit.org/Lear/ns/jumblies.html