Your feet are the secret to better photos

 
Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 5000, ƒ/5.6, 1/100–Off camera flash Neewer TT850 triggered by the Neewer 433MHz Wireless 16 Channel radio remote set to 1/128th power and with gels and grid

I love it when you can get super close because people forget about you. Here this boy is deep into his computer software, and the teacher is helping him.

 
Getting close to people takes time.
 
Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 6400, ƒ/5.6, 1/100–Off camera flash Neewer TT850 triggered by the Neewer 433MHz Wireless 16 Channel radio remote set to 1/128th power and with gels and grid
If I did this just once, you might think it is luck, but trust me, once you let people feel comfortable with you and you are non-threatening, you can get close and get better photos.
 
Nikon D4, AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 1100, ƒ/5, 1/100
Photographed with a 14-24mm, I am shooting zoomed as wide as it will go at 14mm. So in all of the images in this blog, I can take my hand and reach and touch the main subject’s face.
 
Being close is the key to your photos looking better–Get more intimate with your feet. You should be able to touch your subject because you are too close most of the time.
 
Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 1600, ƒ/5.6, 1/100
Notice the difference when you work this close from the 14mm to this photo at 28mm. It starts to look like a telephoto lens.
 
You get a sense of place by getting close and using ultra wide-angle lenses. You can see the other students and how they are working. I try to put the audience in the room with me.
 
Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 1600, ƒ/5.6, 1/100
Here I stepped just a little back and zoomed in to 42mm. Notice how distant you are in comparison?
 
If you want your photos to look better, use your feet and get close enough to touch your subject.
 
There are a few exceptions, and wildlife is one of those exceptions. I use long lenses like 500mm or 600mm, so I live to have another day.