I get comments myself from adults that believe that, since I'm an artist, I can probably draw anything from knowledge/imagination. I probably can. However, I won't end up with the aesthetic I'm generally going for with my art. If I don't have a visual reference to work from as I am creating my drawings or paintings, I'll end up with something too cartoony for my taste. Having a reference ensures that I won't forget important characteristics or details that I would like to include.
There ARE artists out there who have the ability to create amazingly realistic drawings from imagination. This is usually because they have practiced and studied specific subjects for months or even years, which has allowed them to form a visual library in their minds and even the development of muscle memory to recreate shape and line easily.
All this said, I always stay away from tracing and creating exact replicas of photographs. This is ok when an artist is just starting out (or if its intentionally what you're going for), but as soon as basic observation/drawing skills are attained, I always encourage drawing freehand and using references as something to loosely base drawings or paintings off of.
Some of my favorite artists in history used reference images:
Norman Rockwell
Norman Rockwell. After the Prom. Oil on canvas. 1957.
Alphose Mucha
Alphonse Mucha. Emerald. Colour lithograph. 1900.
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Couple at Restaurant. Oil and gouache on cardboard. 1891.
Notice how all of these artworks are intentionally modified, added to and even distorted in order to communicate ideas more effectively. The final artwork, in my opinion, is far more visually appealing and expressive than the original reference image. This is what we should strive for when using photos as references, whether they are your own or not. To finish up this (very long) introduction, I want to tell beginner artists out there to not let ANYBODY make you feel guilty or like less of an artist for using references! Just make sure you are keeping any studies that could get you in trouble to yourself and that you have permission to use photographs when you are thinking of sharing your work (especially online). Just be smart about it and keep challenging yourself to improve!
Using Other People's Photographs to Create Art
Using other people's photographs as references for drawings or paintings is frowned upon by many people for obvious reasons. The main idea here is that, for an artwork to be truly your own, everything has to have originated from yourself as the creator, from idea, to planning, to execution. If you didn't build it from the ground up, then it isn't totally yours and it's not completely original. As with everything else in life, there are many points of view pertaining to this. Whether its right or not could be debated until the cows come home.
What's important for you to know is that there are ALL different types of artists out there. There are some who only paint from life, taking days to set up their shadow boxes in their studios. There are some who enjoy working in plein air, leaving their houses and setting up in parks or in the street to paint scenery as people walk around them. Others create collages using magazine and newspaper cutouts or ready-made supplies. The list goes on and on, and there will ALWAYS be opinions about what is right or wrong or better.
It is up to YOU and only YOU to discover what types of media and techniques you'll use to get your message out into the world. Everyone has particular tastes and enjoys different artistic methods. I prefer to keep an open mind about it and don't define anything as right or wrong.
As long as you are being respectful towards others and are doing everything in your power to create original artwork that comes from your own mind and heart, it's all good.
All this said, this method is going to bring you less artistic growth when compared to any of the others because you are limiting yourself to using a photograph that already exists, so I suggest making time to create your own reference library to have at hand AND drawing/painting from life whenever possible. If you're ONLY using other people's photos because it's easier, then you are only going to grow so far.
Make sure you're smart when using other people's photographs! Follow the recommendations below to ensure you are always being safe and moving forward artistically.