I am also new to wide angle, but here are my 2 cents.
Don't just get closer, but also change the height at which you are taking the photos. I think my better (not great, but better) pictures are taken when I get as close to the ground as possible.
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T1i, 28 1.8, 85 1.8, 10-22, 50 1.8 II, 17-85, 100-300 (Lenses in order of preference)
365 Photo Journal
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