In the above examples, I used the same lens, same camera settings. It’s ambient light in both. No editing has been done other applying a lens correction. The ONLY difference is that the photo on the left is at 16mm with me standing closer to the bed, and the photo on the right is at 30mm with me standing back by the door to the room. The left photo looks more distorted and the pillows are far too dominant. The photo on the right is more balanced and gives a better sense of the space. One last note - you’re seeing all the same things in each shot. In other words, these photos are showing the exact same composition, just with the different focal length. So by stepping back and going tighter, you’re not losing anything in your composition (and if you do, then by all means go a little closer or zoom out!). In both photos above, I got from the closet wall on the right to a bit of window on the left.

While you may not always have the space to step back and go tighter for every shot, work on getting yourself used to going as far back as you can in every space!

So next time you’re finding yourself getting close and comfy to your room’s subject, remember:

It’s better to step back and zoom in,
than it is to get close and zoom out.

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