near far technique is simply a means to emphasize subjects in the foreground, because the wide angle lens has such a wide field of view, things that are nearer appear a lot larger than they actually are, relative to far objects.
the most traditional type of wide angle landscape photo with a background and a foreground anchor element is standard use of this:
here, the rock is not larger than the sun in the distance, nor is it as large as all the trees put together far away, but you emphasize it.
most people tend to think that using UWA is all about capturing the scene and standing far away. like i mentioned before, this results in a lot of dead space that has no use or purpose. in my view, most of the time UWA helps you get closer than usual, and in a way, "simplifies" the scene.
here's a less obvious example, but it is still happening:
the merlion is certainly not as large as the esplanade, and all the buildings put together.