so you have the natural vision. this you know. the photo is an interesting medium because of, not in spite the fact that the tool used to create it is a machine. Challenging in such a different way then a brush and paint, where you are the master and vehicle for inspiration, the camera will often produce shocking results, ones that often make us spontaneous creators of genius. So it feels scary sometimes, when you're in the depths of learning what it is the camera does so you can control it, to become an artist of capturing the moment. it feels like maybe you've ruined the magic, a catch22 where the knowledge prevents you from ever becoming 'the blind god' again. but perhaps once you know as much as you can, once you master the technology completely, you will no longer focus so thoroughly on the details and it becomes, once again, instantaneous. Only this time you have a universe of options at your disposal. without having to think you'll be able to get it just so, or so, following instincts and creating pieces the camera could never do through you without guidance.
anyway, honestly, your 'contrived' work is looking pretty damn good to me, so take heart!