I disagree with you. I believe that Vermeer used photographic techniques to aid him. It is very obvious to me (imho) that Vermeer's works is of a wholly different character than any other Dutch masters working at the time. His paintings are incredibly flat and tonal, and very, very photographic.
I also think that his compositions are his true genius. His compositions are beyond masterful. They are brilliant. This is hard to describe to a non-artist, but the way that he uses tight negative spacing along with his use of large spacious gradations is magic. He had the eye of a master photographer. This is where the question comes in for me. Did he set up his scenes and then limit himself to what he was able to manage there, just tracing what he saw? Or did he allow himself the freedom to change and modify the spaces and proportions to what looked right to him. I personally believe the latter.
To me, Vermeer is one of the greatest photographers thats ever lived. Every 2D design class should devote long study to his compositions.