Hey guys i got my new canon 70-200 f/4 L and i love it, but i need a little help getting out of auto mode on my camera. I would appreciate any advice about a good starting point.

Thanks Blandon Burrell

This is a very good book for starters...  It is easy to understand, covers the basics very well, is up to date and will get you to the next step where you can say you know more than most people with a camera in their hand.  From there, you can read plenty of others.  But this is a good starting point:

The Photography Bible

The Luna Vine:

Tom, I am starting to think that should be your new avatar!!! lol

I was thinking about changing it!   

Hi there Blandon!  I would say that moving out of "auto" mode is a step by step process.  I would suggest moving into AV mode, or TV mode before going on full auto.  Then maybe playing around with the metering mode.  Looking at the exposure data, while you look at the photo, will clear a lot of things up for you. 

I doubt I will ever try to manually focus a camera again.  My eyes are shot - way slower than a good lens!   I still have my old manual Nikon, which takes great shots.  I just can't focus the darn thing.  I love autofocus!