\"Manual\" mode in a camera refers to the manual focus and exposure mode. Manual mode allows you to control the focus, aperture (or \"f-stop\") and shutter speed yourself. This is useful when you want full control over your photography and when specific settings are needed to get the exact look you want. In manual mode, you decide on the aperture, shutter speed, and focus that will be used, as opposed to the camera automatically selecting these settings for you.