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i dont hate it. the word distinctive seems fine to me too. i wouldnt replace it with a word like deliberate because i dont think a work has to be deliberate necessarily to be classified as art so that would count as 'surplus' (by your definition) to me.
i think the reason i like it is because i have more or less this same idea as being what i try to accomplish with my images, so hearing it thought out like this and distilled down and worded to succinctly feels nice. and it's also the same thing i look for in others' works as well, whether it be any form of art from other photography to even things like music or fashion.
