I use AP for 96% of the time unless using the film Olympus 35RC or similar which is shutter priority.  The other film cameras I tend to use AP.  Could I ask what do you use and how does it work for you?

AP, unless I'm doing something really off the wall. Use a digital to get a rough idea of the ballpark.
Set your lens 2 stops from wide open (reasonable assumption it's the sharpest aperture on most lenses), play with your exposure and lighting.

This is assuming you are going for "nice" shots, not record shots.