Adapting Master Cinematographers' Principles Without Copying?

Hey everyone, I'm genuinely wrestling with something on my current narrative short. We're shooting on an ALEXA 35 with a set of Cooke S4s, and I'm really trying to elevate the visual storytelling. I spend a lot of time studying cinematographers like Deakins and Hoytema (not just their famous shots, but their approach to light, color, and camera movement. The common wisdom, though, is 'don't just imitate.' And that's exactly my struggle. How do you take those deep-seated principles) say, Deakins' use of natural light or Hoytema's dynamic camera work, and adapt them into your own unique style without just replicating their iconic looks? I’ve been experimenting with using a SkyPanel X for keying natural-ish light in interiors, trying to capture that organic feel but it still feels a bit too 'staged.' Any advice on translating these influences into something distinctly yours?