When you are looking at a beautiful picture that tells you a story and moves you, does it really matter if it was painted with a brush or if the picture was snapped with a camera? If beauty is in the eye of the holder than who is to say what is priceless to one, means nothing to another?
Winter photography is probably one of the hardest types of photography you can master. This is usually caused by the fact that we set our cameras on automatic as a way of ensuring the camera does its own tricks. However the camera apparently does not like the snow because white is always too bright unless it is at night.
When I think of animal pictures I think of one of the hardest types to get, birds. Birds in motion are extremely difficult to get and even when they're sitting still you have to be quick or else they'll be flying away. When taking shots of pets, even though they're domesticated most of the time, you still need to be fast and take pictures of them at the right moment. There is always that perfect shot when a pet gives the perfect pose.
A tripod is essential to ensure that you get razor-sharp results. It will also give you the freedom to leave the camera and tweak your subject as well as steadying your camera in low light.
Consider a photography class. Learning from a professional will give you a real leg up in your picture taking abilities. But there is another option. You can join a photographic society. These clubs are common in many click here medium and large cities. Dues are minimal, and you can go on field trips with the club members, learning from a whole group of avid enthusiasts with like interests.
Now for the telephoto lens, these lenses have focal lengths that range from 85mm and all the way up the the super telephoto lenses that range from 300mm to 600mm. What these lens do is bring distant objects closer and the longer the focal length the greater the magnification. The telephoto lens is very effective at compressing space.
10x20 - This is by far the most versatile backdrop size. It can be used for families, couples, weddings, bridals, commercial, and everything you would use the smaller sizes for. There may be times when you are photographing larger groups, 8 and above, when two 10'x20's of the same or similar pattern may come in handy (Hang one horizontally and lay the other on the floor so the seam is unseen).
Ultimately both these modes make the camera evaluate light and then adjust something to 'correctly' expose based on your exposure compensation settings.