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The Art Spirt is one of my favorite books, Enzie, and Henri is right on about using memory to paint what you know. This knowledge only comes from logging in a lot of easel hours painting from life. If you only work from photos you will be limited in your ability to portray edges and middle values correctly.
I have been using visual memory exercises with my students and have been astounded with the results. One of the exercises for sharpening drawing skills is where I have them draw an item quickly from life, and then remove the subject and have them repeat it. 90% of the time the memory drawing is stronger in shape and value pattern. When students are in front of a model I take them out of the room and have them describe to me what is important about the pose and do a quick value sketch conneting the light and shadow pattern as simply as possible. We also discuss the color of the light and shadow as well as how to mix it. Again, I find it amazing how much stronger this makes composition. I am not against photos but they offer too much information and allow the aritst too much time to dwell on unimportant aspects. In Plein air painting you have limited time to describe form and light and it strengthens your ability to portray scenes concisely. I find I now use the same approach to the model. It gives me more freedom to adjust to the models movements which can make the pose more dynamic.
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