Yes, getting closer would have made a diference. If your main subject fills most of the screen, you (or the camera if on modes other than manual) can often find a combination that gives a good exposure. Even if the subject is a smaller element, you can expose for it (use spot exposure mode if relying on the camera) but then you have the problem that the relative under or over exposure of the background can become a distraction.
For this shot, fill-in flash might have been a better trick though. You can use your flash even on a sunny day to render nearby objects in shade in a brightness that matches the brighter background.
Wulf
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Wulf Forrester-Barker << Sites: blog / flickr >>
Gear: Nikon D40, Nikon AFS 18-55mm f/3.5 - 5.6G, Nikon Series E 50mm f/1.8, Nikon AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6G, Vivitar 90mm f/2.5 macro, Raynox DCR-250, Lensbaby 2.0k, SB600
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