Auto Focus vs. Manual Focus

Ever since I got my new camera, I've been reading the manual, fooling with the settings, and reading the manual some more.....  I just recently got books from the library, two of which have been really helpful so far: 

The Magic of Digital Nature Photography  by: Rob Sheppard, and

 Digital Flower Photography by Sue Bishop                         

Okay, so you maybe asking yourself "what does this have to do with the title 'Auto Focus vs. Manual Focus'?"  

Well, the answer is rather simple, after reading these books, I have become better acquainted with my different camera settings. (though I still have plenty to learn!)  Which of course includes my auto and manual focus settings.....

Below are two pictures I took at the same place. The first was taken using auto focus and the second was taken using manual focus.        

                            Though the auto focus focused on the sun and trees more than the snow,
                 I preferred using manual focus to focus the snow and leave the trees and sun blurred.

Okay, so the pros and cons of each.  

In my short experience in both my reading and usage of both focuses, I have found that the pros of auto focus are:

• It's usually easiest to snap quick pictures with.                                                                                    
• It often focuses the right things in the picture.                                                                                      

I have found that the cons of auto focus are:

• On close up objects it is often hard to focus on the right thing.                                                             
• It can feel like you're fighting with your camera, when you see the image that was blurry get sharp, then blurry again, with the camera's attempt to focus the picture for you.                                                   

The pros of Manual Focus in my experience are:

• It's easier to focus on close up objects.                                                                                              
• You can have some fun with what you want focused in the picture and what you want blurred.            

The cons:

• The picture can still turn out blurry if the focus isn't quite right.                                                            

I don't think that there is any right answer for which focus you should use when taking pictures, but it's always good to be looking for ways to be improving your picture taking in the ways you think it needs improved.

Well, anyway, that's my advice.  Do you have a preference in which type of focus you use?

I hope this post was helpful, especially if you're like me and still learning how to use your camera settings. : P