Well use of Auto is part of the learning process as you can then see what the camera has selected and then have an idea where to start  changing when going manual, esp if you don't know what a F stop is and doing wedding photography! 

Sharper images are not always the thing for portraits, when it is often the softer look that hides the wrinkles.. 

Danny O'Byrne  http://www.digitalartzone.co.uk/

"All the technique in the world doesn't compensate for the inability to notice" Eliott Erwitt