Let me say this: I don't know where you got that from, but if I were an up and coming DP, I'd be thrilled to be on top director's roster at any position, even as a young DP and would likely follow him than try to be on my own line of thought. Soon after ANY ambitious DP will make own stamp and he grows this will become more and more of clear distinction. I'm sure there are directors that are control freaks and no matter who ends up on the team, becomes at best second tear employee. But that doesn't work and if as director I not only want a good DP, but also one who has own vision, can argue it and be capable of making it his. While Oscars have become political nut jobs for a good couple of decades now, they've been giving the statue out to DP (and MD for that matter) for a reason.
I mentioned MD because with your logic music director also has little to do with music, just makes a band play without much say what it is they play.