AV vs TV vs Manual Modes

I've read some on the main shooting modes used by professional photographers. Up to this point I've shot exclusively in Manual mode (M on my 30D) simply because it forces me to learn more and gives me complete control over the camera.

I would have guessed that most pros shoot in Manual mode but I think I am wrong and that it depends more on what they are shooting. So for a wedding I might shoot in Av mode  (aperture priority). In this mode when I change the aperture to what I want, to control depth of field, the shutter speed automagically compensates keeping my shot perfectly exposed. This is nice and I can definitely see how it would allow me to take photos faster.

If I am shooting action and less concerned with DoF then freezing the action I can switch to Tv mode which somehow stands for shutter priority? Why not Sv, and what's with the "v"? I digress. Switching to Tv mode allows me to control shutter speed while the camera automagically adjusts the aperture to keep the exposure beautiful.

Also useful is that fact that in either of these modes you can still adjust the automagical element (i.e. the aperture in Tv mode) to do some exposure compensation which the camera keeps stored apparently.

Since I like full control I will still be shooting mainly in Manual but will give the other modes a try when time is of the essence.

Here's a summary I found in an article comment:

Manual

• Always when shooting flash, because the camera's meter is easily fooled, regardless of what kind of metering you're using.


• During a consistent lighting situation where there's little to no change in the brightness or quality of light, so that I'm in constant control of depth of field and motion blur.

Aperture Priority

• When in a variable light situation where light quality changes from shot to shot, like the getting ready room where one moment may be near a bright window and in the same breath, a reaction may be across the room under tungsten light.


• During sunset, when I simply want to focus on getting the best images during those last few moments of golden light without worrying about changing my exposure every 3 minutes due to the dimming light.


• In high contrast situations where moments need to be nailed and isolated in both shade and sun without time to switch exposures.

Shutter Priority

• When I don't have time to meter or think about depth of field, but want to grab a quick shot of something in motion using super slow or super fast shutter.

Program

• When I'm feeling too sick, tired, or lazy in the moment and am willing to do a lot of post-production correction. (Usually the thought of all the post-production is enough to make me want to snap out of it and use the gray matter floating in my head.)