Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the Ohlbaum Photo Archive
Is using the image portal of the Ohlbaum Photo Archive free of charge?
Yes, you can search the data stock of the Ohlbaum Photo Archive online free of charge.
If you wish to use images from our holdings for your own purposes (e.g. print publication), however, obtaining this license is subject to a fee. Please refer to the applicable fee schedule of the Image Archive of the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek: Fee schedule
Is it possible for an image to form part of the holdings of the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek even if I cannot find it in the portal?
It is possible for an image to form part of the holdings of the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek even if you cannot find it in the portal. In the case of not yet digitized pictures, please contact us individually: Contact us
Why is detailed metadata not displayed for some photos?
The image portal displays both catalogued and uncatalogued images. This means that you will also find photos here for which no further information is given apart from the name of the person depicted. This means that the year and location of the photograph and other keywords are missing. As the image portal is still under construction, this information will only be added in the coming months. You are still welcome to order the photos without metadata.
How do I move back within the portal?
Please use the back button of your browser for returning to previously opened subordinate pages within the image portal. Clicking on the logo of the Ohlbaum Photo Archive takes you back to the start page at any time. This resets also all active searches and filters.
In which other image portals of the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek can I do research?
In addition to the Ohlbaum Photo Archive, the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek holds numerous other photo archives. The most extensive is the stern Photo Archive. In this image portal you will find the previously digitized photographs from the analogue photo archive of stern magazine. You can find images from the other holdings of the Image Archive in the online catalogue of the Image Archive.
How can I find specific images?
The portal offers various options for searching for images:
1. Full-text search with subsequent filter options
2. Limitation of the displayed image selection by applying filters
1. Full-text search
Using the full-text search, you can search for images in a targeted manner with the aid of freely selected terms. The full-text search can be started by using the search slot in the middle of the upper edge of the screen. You can enter one or more search terms here consecutively.
This option enables you to search the assigned subject headings with respect to place, time and content of the images.
The search request is concluded by pressing the enter key or by clicking on the magnifying glass symbol at the end of the search slot. The displayed search results can be limited further by applying search filters subsequently (see Limitation of the displayed image selection by applying filters).
Tips for entering search terms: Two or more entered search terms are automatically combined with AND in the search. You can achieve an OR search by separating the terms from one another by two vertical strokes (||). Multiple terms in double quotation marks (" ") are treated as one single search term.
2. Limitation by applying filters
The filter bar on the left screen edge offers you the possibility to further limit in a targeted manner the search results displayed in the main field of the portal and to reduce the number of hits – for example to years of creation or also to specific depicted persons, events and subject terms.
Click on one of the displayed filters for this purpose. In the menu that drops down now, you will find
- either a predetermined list of terms (e.g. a list with predetermined years), where you can limit the selection of hits by clicking on one of the terms,
- or a search slot for searching the displayed selection of hits in a targeted manner by inputting a term yourself (e.g. a person’s name). In the course of inputting text, a small window will open automatically, which contains suggestions for input on the basis of entries present in the database.
Why can’t I find the image I am looking for?
There may be various reasons why a search does not yield any results:
- The searched material has not yet been digitized. In such cases, you are welcome to contact us to find out whether the not yet digitized parts of the Ohlbaum Photo Archive contain material on the desired topic: Contact us
- The result "0 hits" when searching in certain fields may occur when the search terms used do not correspond to the vocabulary used for the indexing or have not yet been tagged with subject headings (see Why is detailed metadata not displayed for some photos?). The holdings of the Ohlbaum Photo Archive are indexed with the aid of The Integrated Authority File (GND), constituting a standardised library vocabulary. Only such search terms which are contained in the GND can lead to hits in the fields provided for this purpose. When entering search terms, already assigned (GND standard) synonyms are suggested whenever possible. Hits outside the standardised vocabulary can be found using the general full-text search via the search slot on the upper edge of the screen (see How can I find specific images? 1. Full-text search)
How can I change the display of the image selection or of the search result?
The images available in the portal are usually shown as thumbnails, with medium-sized preview images and associated brief information texts about the images. By using the small icons below the search slot at the upper edge of the screen, you can change the representation of the display of selectable images and/or of your search result. The display of selectable images can be changed by clicking on one of the icons below the search slot. The following views are available:
- Thumbnails: small preview images with descriptive brief information text about the image
- Gallery view: Preview images without text information
Three further icons offer the possibility to change the size of the represented preview images in the thumbnail view and the gallery view: small thumbnails, medium-sized thumbnails and large thumbnails.
How can I change the mode of sorting of the hit list or of the search result?
The images displayed in the hit list or in the search result are usually sorted in accordance with the title of the photo (= usually the name of the person depicted). The sorting of the images can be changed by selecting a different order or mode of sorting in the sorting menu below the search slot at the right upper edge of the screen. In addition, the display can be sorted in ascending or descending order by clicking on the arrow labelled "AZ" that is shown next to this menu.
The following modes of sorting are available:
- Display title: Sorting in accordance with titles of the images (= usually the name of the person depicted)
- Creation date: Sorting in accordance with the date of creation of the picture by the photographer
- Release date: Sorting in accordance with the date of entry of an image in the image portal
- File name: Sorting according to the image number of the individual photos
Is a user account required for ordering images?
No. Ordering images is not subject to registration or opening a user account in the portal. Order requests can also be placed as a guest.
Who can order images using the image portal of the Ohlbaum Photo Archive?
Only institutions and authorities, registered tradespeople or freelancers are entitled to acquire licenses for images of the Ohlbaum Photo Archive using the image portal. Images are not ceded via the portal to consumers within the meaning of Art. 13 BGB [German Civil Code]. Consumers can acquire licenses for images only in exceptional cases. Where required, this can be requested using the contact form: Contact us
How can I place an order for images?
All preview images shown in the image portal of the Ohlbaum Photo Archive merely constitute a non-binding offer. To order desired images, please select these in the image portal and put them into your collection basket using the button "Datensatz zum Sammelkorb hinzufügen" (add data set to collection basket), using the button "Datensätze der aktuellen Seite zum Sammelkorb hinzufügen" (add data sets of the current page to collection basket) or using drag and drop. The selected images are listed collectively in your collection basket.
In the next step, you can send us a non-binding request for licensing for the desired type of use. For this purpose, please send us an e-mail to the following address bildarchiv@bsb-muenchen.de. Please state the desired image numbers (ohl-XXX) and the intended use. You will find the image numbers under the photos in your collection basket. You can find the costs for issuing a license depending on the desired purpose in our price overview: Fee schedule
How do I receive my images?
After checking your order request, we will e-mail you an individual quotation covering the desired licensing that states the total fee payable. In case you wish to make any changes or correct any input errors, you can inform us accordingly by replying to our e-mail. Where required, you will then receive an accordingly adapted new quotation from us.
Depending on the location of your company’s or institution’s headquarters (inside or outside Germany), the further procedure of the image order, depending on the resulting payment mode, is as follows:
Headquarters of the company/institution in Germany: Purchase on account
If you agree with the quotation transferred by e-mail, we will send you a download link by e-mail. The contract is concluded when you open the download link. The invoice will be e-mailed to you after conclusion of the download.
Headquarters of the company/institution in a country outside Germany: Advance payment
If you agree with the quotation transferred by e-mail, please confirm this by e-mail. Subsequently, you will receive the associated invoice, likewise by e-mail, which can be settled by credit card, PayPal or bank transfer. As soon as we have received your payment, you will receive a further e-mail including the download link.
How long does it take for me to receive the licensed images?
In the case of purchase on account (see How do I receive my images?), we can provide you with a download link for the requested images ideally within 1 to 2 working days.
In the case of advance payment (see How do I receive my images?), you will receive the download link for the requested images usually within 5 to 10 working days.
What is the licensing fee of an image from the Ohlbaum Photo Archive for a purpose of use intended by me?
The licensing fee in dependence on the intended use can be found in our fee schedule: Fee schedule
Do I have to register for using the Ohlbaum Photo Archive?
No. Registration is not required for using the image portal and ordering images.
How can I set up a user account for the portal?
For this purpose, click on the person symbol on the right upper edge of the screen and select "Login". On the login page which opens now click on "Benutzerkonto erstellen" ("Create user account") and fill in the required boxes in the displayed form. The only boxes which must be filled in mandatorily for registration are your e-mail address and a password. All other boxes are optional for setting up a user account. After sending off the form, you will receive an automated e-mail for verification of the user account.
Does registration offer any benefits for me?
Registration for a user account offers various additional options for using the image portal.
Your benefits as a registered user include:
- Personalised access point "Ihr Benutzerkonto" ("Your Account")
- Fast marking of images by means of favourites and storing of your favourites in a private favourites list. For further information on this go to the section Bookmarking images and storing search results.
- Optimal project organisation on the basis of multiple memo lists ("Collections"), which can be stored for multiple sessions. These can be deleted at any time. For further information on this go to the section Bookmarking images and storing search results.
How can I change my registration/address data and my password?
You can change your address data at any time using the function "Mein Benutzerkonto" ("Your Account") in the menu bar of the image portal of the Ohlbaum Photo Archive. For this purpose, click on the person symbol on the right upper edge of the screen and select the function "Mein Benutzerkonto" ("Your Account"). This opens a dialogue window in which you can change your address data and store the changes by clicking on "Aktualisieren" (update). Here, you can also change the password used so far for your user account by clicking on "Passwort ändern" (change password).
How can I delete my user account?
In the event that you wish to delete your user account for the image portal of the Ohlbaum Photo Archive completely, please inform us accordingly using the contact form: Contact us
The image portal of the Ohlbaum Photo Archive provides you with various possibilities to bookmark selected images or store search results: by means of a favourites list or in the form of collections. If you wish to use these memo functions, you need to log into your user account in the portal first (or register).
How can I manage images using the favourites list?
When you are logged into your user account in the portal, a small heart symbol will be shown next to the individual thumbnails in the hit list and in the individual picture viewing mode on the right upper edge of the screen as soon as you move your mouse pointer over the image. This image can be stored in the favourites list by clicking on the heart. To delete the image from the favourites list, click on the heart symbol again.
The favourites list can be opened by clicking on the symbol for your user account (symbol at the right upper edge of the screen) and then on "Favoriten anzeigen" (show favourites). In the favourites list, you have the options to remove individual images (by clicking on the respective heart symbol), all images (by clicking on "alle entfernen" (remove all)) or to add all favourites to the collection basket (by clicking on the collection basket symbol).
How can I manage images using the "collections" function?
When you are logged into your user account in the portal, a small square symbol will be shown next to the individual thumbnails in the hit list and in the individual picture viewing mode at the left upper edge of the screen as soon as you move your mouse pointer over the image. This image can be added to a current selection by clicking on the square.
At the right upper edge of the screen, there is a symbol with three strokes on top of each other. By clicking on this symbol, the marked images can be added to an already existing collection, a new collection can be set up and the selection can be added to this collection, or the selected images can be added to the collection basket directly for ordering.
You can manage your already existing collections by using the books symbol on the right upper edge of the screen.
How can I contact the Ohlbaum Photo Archive?
Do you have any further questions or do you require assistance in your research?
Please let us know by using the contact form: Contact