Sometimes I get a little compulsive about things that I love. What I’m loving right now is Macro. I’ve been very much in an up-close-and-personal mood with my photographs lately — getting to know hidden details of familiar objects and places by simply stepping a little closer, crouching down on the ground, and photographing my subjects from just a few inches away. I love how you can learn so much about things and places by simply examining them closely. And this appreciating of small details has only increased since having a toddler who stops to notice every crunchy leaf on the ground or small bug on a flower.

All that to say, maybe there’s such a thing as too much of a good thing. I’ve noticed that so many of my photos from the 30 Day Photo Challenge are close-ups. And, however much I love the beautful and unexpected detail I’m finding up close, I need to remember to step a few feet back, unzoom the camera and take in the whole scene from time to time. There is much beauty, too, in landscapes and wide angles.

For today’s photo I forced myself to step back and notice a whole scene instead of just a small detail. As usual, I really wanted to zoom in close on just one small portion of one of these flags. But I definitely think in this instance the whole scene is much more interesting.

It’s International Week at the college where I work, and these vibrant flags are hanging down the halls. I added a little more red and blue into this image in Photoshop to make the flags pop even more. But you can’t beat a black background like that! I especially love the reflection of the flags in the windows behind them.