Hello Denise,
Yes, I know what you mean, positively scary! But, hey, it keeps panhandlers and kids away from me on the subway.
I did bring up the value in the shadow side from what it is in the photo, it's not just an artifact. Both the photo jpeg (scanned from a print) and the portrait jpeg (digital photo) are pretty accurate with respect to color and value.
This is the only one that I've done using only a photo. My approach is currently best described as "by whatever means necessary", since I'm not as experienced as you are; but I tend to use as many sources as possible, which sounds like a less organized version of your methods. This is at least somewhat reassuring.
Now I'm going to get even with you by going to your post and critiquing it!