Photography: Imagine by John Lennon – 28 May 1971

Friday 28 May 1971 | John Lennon, Photography
Tittenhurst Park, Ascot, Berkshire

On 28 May 1971, the portrait photography for the cover of John Lennon's second solo album Imagine was shot on the south lawn of Lennon's home, Tittenhurst Park, near Ascot in Berkshire. The photographer was Dan Richter, Lennon's personal assistant, who had become a trusted presence in the Lennon–Ono household.

Later the same day, recording sessions continued at Ascot Sound Studios — the private studio Lennon had built in the grounds of Tittenhurst Park — where the backing track for 'Oh My Love' was laid down and overdubs were added to 'Gimme Some Truth'.

The Imagine Album Cover: Behind the Photograph

The cover of Imagine is one of the most recognisable images in rock history. It shows John Lennon's face emerging softly from a white cloud — serene, slightly otherworldly, perfectly matched to the album's tone of idealistic yearning.

The final cover image was a composite creation by Yoko Ono, who used a Polaroid close-up camera to photograph Lennon and superimposed his image against a painting of clouds and sky by the American artist Geoff Hendricks, who specialised exclusively in sky paintings. The portrait element — the photograph of Lennon himself — was taken by Dan Richter on the south lawn of Tittenhurst Park on this day.

The back cover showed Lennon lying on a window sill, clouds above his head, eyes closed — imagining. Together, the covers created a visual language entirely consistent with the album's message: grounded in human feeling, but reaching toward something transcendent.

Dan Richter: The Man Behind the Camera

Dan Richter was an American actor, mime artist, and writer who had become close to John and Yoko in the late 1960s. He is perhaps best known for his role as the lead ape-man in Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). By 1971, Richter had become Lennon's personal assistant and a trusted member of the Tittenhurst Park household. He later wrote about the experience in his memoir Becoming John (2003), a vivid first-hand account of life at Tittenhurst Park during the album's creation.

Tittenhurst Park: The Setting

Tittenhurst Park was a Georgian mansion set in 72 acres near Ascot in Berkshire, purchased by Lennon in 1969. During spring and summer 1971, it was the centre of an extraordinary creative period: the Imagine album was being recorded in the purpose-built Ascot Sound Studios on the grounds, a film crew was documenting the sessions, and the estate's gardens and interiors provided the backdrop for much of the album's visual material. Lennon sold Tittenhurst Park to Ringo Starr in 1973 when he and Yoko relocated permanently to New York.

Recording on the Same Day: 'Oh My Love' and 'Gimme Some Truth'

After the photography session, work continued inside at Ascot Sound Studios. Two tracks received attention on 28 May 1971:

'Oh My Love'

'Oh My Love' is one of the most delicate and intimate tracks on Imagine — a tender love song co-written by Lennon and Yoko Ono, with a melody of quiet, almost classical beauty. George Harrison's guitar playing is particularly notable: restrained, precise, and deeply sympathetic to the song's mood. The backing track recorded on this day formed the foundation for one of the album's most affecting moments.

'Gimme Some Truth'

'Gimme Some Truth' is the album's most overtly political track — a furious, driving rocker in which Lennon vents his frustration at politicians and hypocrites. Originally written during the Let It Be sessions in 1969, it was reworked for Imagine with George Harrison contributing a blistering guitar performance. The overdubs added on 28 May helped bring the track to its final, incendiary form.

The contrast between the two songs worked on that day — the tender intimacy of 'Oh My Love' and the righteous fury of 'Gimme Some Truth' — captures something essential about Imagine as an album: it is both a love record and a protest record, often simultaneously.

Key Facts: 28 May 1971

• Event: Portrait photography for the Imagine album cover
• Location: South lawn, Tittenhurst Park, Ascot, Berkshire
• Photographer: Dan Richter (John Lennon's personal assistant)
• Cover design: Yoko Ono (Polaroid composite with sky painting by Geoff Hendricks)
• Also recorded this day: Backing track for 'Oh My Love'; overdubs for 'Gimme Some Truth'
• Studio: Ascot Sound Studios, Tittenhurst Park
• Album release: Imagine, 9 September 1971

Frequently Asked Questions

Who photographed the Imagine album cover?

The portrait photography was taken by Dan Richter, John Lennon's personal assistant, on the south lawn of Tittenhurst Park on 28 May 1971. The final cover image was a composite created by Yoko Ono, superimposing Lennon's portrait against a sky painting by Geoff Hendricks.

Where was the Imagine album cover photographed?

On the south lawn of Tittenhurst Park, Lennon's Georgian estate near Ascot in Berkshire, on 28 May 1971.

Who was Dan Richter?

An American actor and mime artist best known for 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), who became John Lennon's personal assistant at Tittenhurst Park and later wrote the memoir Becoming John (2003).

What is 'Oh My Love' about?

A tender love song co-written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, featuring delicate guitar work by George Harrison. One of the most intimate tracks on the Imagine album.

When was 'Gimme Some Truth' written?

Originally written during the Let It Be sessions in January 1969 and reworked for the Imagine album in 1971.

→ 28 May in Beatles History

→ Recording: Imagine & Oh Yoko! – 27 May 1971

→ May in Beatles History

→ Imagine by John Lennon: The Story Behind the Album, the Songs and the Vision

→ The Beatles Knowledge Hub

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