If you want to get the most out of your camera, and be a better photographer, turn every “Auto” function on your camera OFF.
Photograph in Manual mode and decide for yourself what the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO should be. If possible, use a prime (fixed focal length) lens and focus it manually.
In short, remove (and control for) as many variables as possible when photographing.
In this way only will you be able to understand the behaviour and importance of light. In this way only will you begin to anticipate images before they materialize.
—Peter.
Prosophos 
I really want to know how to do this – I have never been taught and now I am so comfortable shooting in AV. I WILL try, and soon!
It’s well worth trying. The beauty of the digital age is that you can experiment freely and accelerate the learning process. Try it…
I will start today! thanks!
The ability to learn to read the light is key to this – and that will only come with practice. You have to accept that you will lose a few pictures on the way, but you will become able to control the outcome much better – and I always find that in difficult (backlit or bright sky) situations auto exposure tends to blow highlights on digital cameras much more than it should.
Agree with all of this, thank you Mike.
Or buy a used Leica M8 and there is (almost) nothing ‘auto’ to turn off.