What is the ruling on making mosaics that depict animals and humans, knowing that the images are flat?

It is not permissible to sculpt animate beings for any purpose, due to the prohibition by the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, who said: "Indeed, the most severely punished people on the Day of Resurrection will be the sculptors [or image-makers]." As for photographing inanimate objects, gardens, trees, and natural landscapes, there is no objection to that.