I recently started playing Skyrim again. Since I hadn't uninstalled it since the last time I stop playing, I still had all my mods. I came to the realization that I don't like the graphics mods. I dunno why, it just doesn't feel real, it feels artificial. So I removed every single mod, even the official high res DLC, because honestly, I don't care if the trees or bushes look slightly off when I stare at them from just an inch away. I unticked the high res DLC in Steam so that it won't download again.

The only mods I have now are mainly fixes like the unofficial patches, SkyUI, Skse, XP32 skeleton, realistic ragdolls. I also have bella's better females with less makeup and XCE's overhaul loaded before. I'm thinking of removing bella's better females, though, but for now I'll keep it. I will not for the time being (or ever again) install a graphics mod. No, not even the FXAA injector because the grey filter suits Skyrim so well. It's not supposed to be a colorful place like Cyrodiil.

I've never really been a fan of any graphics mods or any big overhauls that seriously hurt the FPS. So, save for the mods I currently run, I'm "usually" a vanilla kind of guy.

I stopped using graphics mods years ago. (By "graphics mods" I'm referring to texture and mesh replacers and mods like ENBs). I do use race mods for my characters though, if that counts.

I don't use visual texture mods as mentioned in the OP, but I do use texture packs for weapons and such. But the game world itself is already pretty enough. Can't fix what isn't broken, and I'm not cynical enough to stare at a blade of grass and look out for individual pixels and then complain.

personally I love the enb preset I use for Grim and Somber plus ELFX. when ever I turn them off, I realize how much I appreciate them

But we all play the game our own way. If I was to play vanilla (no enb) I would have to install the high res packs. I'm a svcker for that sort of thing

By graphics mods I meant texture/mesh replacers for trees, the water, the landscape, etc. I do not count weapons/armor/races etc.

Sometimes less is more. The beauty of modding Skyrim is being able to add just what suits you.

The only graphics mods I have are the Official High Res Texture packs, XCE and Eligible Bachelors. It suits me just fine. The rest of my mods (21 atm) are things like Guard Dialogue Over haul, Oblivious Horses, a couple of follower mods, a couple of armor mods, and one weapons pack. I don't have the Unoffical Patch, although I've considered it.

i could not play this game unmodded not anymore

not just modded gamemechanicss but also graphical

the vanilla graphics while very good look bleak and dull compared to even some of the basic graphical enchantments you find as a mod and i m not even talking about ENBs

but i probably got so spoiled by mods i got addicted to them i think last time i counted i had 140 mods running and the game still runs perfect with no ctds that used to plague the pc version ,

I can't imagine playing Skyrim without Sharpshooter's ENB and ELFX. Ugh.

Wow, reading the OP was like reading my own post. I am the same way: Mostly fixes and enhancements (like longer time for bound weapons, alternate start, etc.), as well as no graphic mods. I am this way on all 3 TES games and both Fallout games. For Morrowind I use MGE but strictly for the resolution, the water/textures/view distance is all still vanilla...Why I do this? Well, just like OP, it just feels off

I never really bothered with graphic mods like ENB or hi-res textures and other stuff like that even if my computer could handle them. Only thing I ever go for are face/body mods. (I mean, have you seen those mitten feet? Thank the gods for Better Males/UNP+Men by Geonox/Women of Skyrim)

It just feels kinda...superfluous I guess? I'd rather spend time looking for game mechanic tweaks and other gameplay enhancements than graphic mods.

Having just reinstalled Skyrim (again), I am tempted to go all out vanilla for a few runs

The aspect I will miss are darker interiors and nights without setting my gamma to almost nothing