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When it comes to drawing, I do not encourage drawing from photos or from life for beginners. I think it is a mistake to thrust someone into drawing until you show them the basic use of the line. Line technique is almost non-existent in most artist's work these days. In my view, the art is in the line.
When I was starting out (at the wee age of seven) we were only allowed to copy drawings which were of the classic sanded point method, or we copied the demonstration drawings of our teacher. We were drilled relentlessly in the line techniques before we ventured off into working from life settings or photos. By then we had a useful quiver of line techniques to apply to the drawing, regardless of the source.
Rather a narrow way to learn, I'll grant you. There are many ways to draw and paint, but there are fewer good ways to learn.
Perhaps I am stuck in the mode of the beginnings and fundamentals. This conversation perhaps deals more with advanced work from photos and life. But when you discuss the merits of working from photos and from life, for the beginner, neither is advisable.
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