In this scene an establishing shot is used by the director. This allows the audience to perceive the fact that something of great magnitude is about to happen, in this scene it is one of the pivotal moments in the show. Had this shot been closer in, it wouldn’t have the same effect as it does further out; a shot closer in would show Sherlock’s emotion, one which is usually not particularly telling, and might not show in detail what is about to happen.

There should be a photo of the scene where Sherlock fakes his death, but you will just have to imagine that there are photos here; my computer (and/or Edutronic) doesn’t like.