The cover of Black Sabbath's 1970 debut album was shot at Mapledurham Watermill, Oxfordshire. To get the right light, the shoot was conducted at 4.00 am. Contrary to popular belief, the hooded figure is not Ozzy Osbourne, but an 18-year-old female model. The model was chosen for her short stature, to make her look overwhelmed by the eerie landscape. To enhance the photo's uncanny feel, a smoke machine was used and the shot was taken with film used for aerial photographs, which gave the photo its pinkish light. The film was also boiled then frozen to make the image grainier. Props included a stuffed crow - named Yorick - who appears on the back cover and, apparently, a live black cat. The photographer swears the model is holding the cat though the model says she has no recollection of this. #music #metal #gothic #weird #history #folklore #art #photography #psychogeography
