Often we take pictures of buildings, objects, scenes, etc., as a whole. A beautiful building like Taj Mahal or the Palace of Versailles or a medieval church are well - beautiful. But what makes them beautiful are the details. There is no contesting the saying, 'A sum is greater than its parts'; in the case of architecture it is the parts that make the sum. While viewing albums of friends' and relatives' travels we often see mesmerizing pictures of famous and infamous landmarks. How often do we see details of the landmark/area that our friend/relative noticed? Zooming in on architectural details gives someone the intimate experience of 'almost' having been there. It's also a great way to revisit the memories of your experience.

Next time you're out taking pictures, step in closer, appreciate the details and take advantage of the high zoom options in your camera to capture the little details.

Arc De Triomphe, Paris - detail of the ceiling and close-ups of parts of the Arc.

The Casino on Catalina Island, CA. I'd seen the building image many times, but saw the imposing mural above the entrance only in person.

Palace of Versailles and pictures showing details of the opulence within.

One of my favorite images from Oxford, reminds me of the 'seven dwarfs' - a totally unexpected surprise amongst the largely geometric/trellis-y architecture in Oxford, England.

Opera House, Paris. Reception area, painted mural in the theater.

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