I think - hope - that Kazloff wasn't using formulaic in the sense that I think you may be using it here: indicating something produced to a pre-set kind of formula; a conscious effort to produce something in a given style. In other words, as I used to attempt to ape Van Gogh, thinking it sufficient to apply thick paint in rough manner and on "childish" subjects. (One reason why I quickly gave that up for photos!)
I think perhaps he (Kozloff) meant formulaic to mean the style and subject matter that becomes a person's handwriting simply because it represents his/her interests and natural way to see and produce. In other words, a person's artistic identity.
In that sense, I would say HC-B was formulaic in his work because of the way he shot what he shot. That's not to imply he found a style that he could consciously repeat, but just that what he did he did because it was, simply, what he did. I don't expect he had much of a conscious say at all, just followed his instincts. I think it's when people allow themselves to be sidetracked into trying to be somebody else, thay they blow it: you have to be you or be nobody. All the rôle models have been invented, and of the living ones available, why would anyone want a substitute?
I was just watching a repeat on BBC2 of the last episode of the current Rick Stein France trip; two things: it must be a lovely way to be in photography; I could weep with impotence seeing all that glorious food and having none of the ability, even though many of the ingredients are to hand, to make it for myself.
Actually, where I live, it seems impossible to find anything like it. Even the French-owned and run place I go to in summer doesn't produce similar food; it is mainly "international" stuff done with good flavours and some care. The problem, as Stein points out, is that it takes time, skill and money. And people aren't usually able or prepared regularly to pay a realistic price for what the product would have to cost. And I can understand both sides of that coin. Sure, pay big for a treat, but when you depend on a supply of not only tourists, but daily regulars, people such as I, then this ain't the town to do it. I guess you need a place near a banking centre or something that has high-roller citizens going out for lunch every day.