Thanks for the amazing feedback! I definitely agree with what you said - getting even closer can open up a world of possibilities for interpretation. Of course, not every photo has to be that way and I like to experiment with how much to show and what to leave for interpretation. That said, I have a long way to exercise my confidence with getting close and being OK with it and this challenge is partly about that.
It's a great feeling though when you "step in the moment" and become part of the scene and not just an observer.