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Thomas Gerdes
@thomasgerdes.de
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Head of Library at Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity, Göttingen. Passionate about open science and supporting research. | #photography | thomasgerdes.de
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thomasgerdes.de
Neon sign reading ‘Freedom is Thinkable’ in the library of the German Parliament. — Berlin, 12 November 2025.

#photography #Library #Bundestag #Berlin
Modern library interior with bright blue neon text reading "FREIHEIT IST DENKBAR" (Freedom is Thinkable) above floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Through the windows, multiple levels of illuminated bookshelves are visible. A wooden desk sits in the foreground beneath concrete ceiling beams.
November 14, 2025 at 1:00 PM
thomasgerdes.de
Cinema marquee displaying ‘Thanks for nothing’. — Berlin, 12 November 2025.

#photography #StreetPhotography #monochrome #blackandwhite #Berlin
Black and white photograph of the Babylon cinema marquee displaying "BABYLON" and "D NKE FÜR NICHTS" (Thanks for Nothing - with 'A' missing), the current film title partially obscured by bare tree branches. The weathered building facade above shows rows of windows, and a leafless tree dominates the right side of the frame.
November 14, 2025 at 12:57 PM
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Ape & human — Leipzig, 30 October 2025.

#photography #orangutan #GreatApe #ZooLeipzig #Pongoland #monochrome #blackandwhite #Leipzig
Black and white photograph of a orangutan sitting against glass in a zoo enclosure. A boy is reflected in the glass barrier, creating a poignant juxtaposition between the ape and its observer. The concrete floor and textured walls of the enclosure are visible in the background.
November 2, 2025 at 9:25 PM
thomasgerdes.de
Sleeping gorilla.

#photography #gorilla #GreatApe #ZooLeipzig #Pongoland #monochrome #blackandwhite #Leipzig
A gorilla relaxes in a rope hammock suspended between wooden supports in a zoo enclosure. The black and white photograph captures the primate lying on its back, gazing upward in a moment of leisure. The textured concrete wall behind creates depth, while other gorillas rest in shadowy areas below. Thick braided ropes and weathered wood logs form the climbing structure.
November 1, 2025 at 11:36 AM
thomasgerdes.de
What happened in our institute's library? Can you solve the mystery?

Photos: @mpimmg.bsky.social

#TagderBibliotheken #Library #MPG
Four people wearing white gloves stand around a table in a library with colourful book-lined shelves. They examine documents and objects, including a small floral arrangement. A modern floating staircase is visible on the left wall. Six people wearing white gloves gather around a table in a two-story library, examining documents and objects. A woman in a purple patterned cardigan studies papers while others hold various items including what appears to be a dark sculptural object. A globe sits on the table's left side. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves line the upper balcony. Four people wearing black bowler hats and white gloves huddle around a dark table examining objects, including a vintage wooden radio and a yellow illuminated globe. Bookshelves filled with colourful volumes line the wall behind them.
October 24, 2025 at 7:27 AM
thomasgerdes.de
Street & lights — Munich, 16 October 2025.

#photography#StreetPhotography #monochrome #blackandwhite #Munich
A brightly lit tram travels along tracks at night in a high-contrast black and white photograph. The tram's illuminated windows create striking white rectangles against the dark surroundings. In the background, several tall residential tower blocks stand prominently lit against the night sky, while smaller buildings and streetlights dot the urban landscape. The composition creates a dramatic interplay between light and shadow, emphasizing the geometric lines of the tram, tracks, and architecture.
October 16, 2025 at 9:19 PM
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The Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg harbour with seagulls. — Hamburg, 12 October 2025.

#photography #StreetPhotography #ArchitecturalPhotography #monochrome #blackandwhite #Elbphilharmonie #Hamburg
Black and white photograph of a crowded waterfront promenade with seagulls flying overhead against a cloudy sky. The Elbphilharmonie's distinctive wave-like architecture dominates the right side of the frame, while a tall ship's mast is visible at the far right. Various modern and historic buildings line the harbour, with pedestrians filling the walkway below.
October 16, 2025 at 6:39 PM
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The Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg harbour. — Hamburg, 12 October 2025.

#photography #StreetPhotography #ArchitecturalPhotography #monochrome #blackandwhite #Elbphilharmonie #Hamburg
Black and white photograph of Hamburg's harbour with the distinctive Elbphilharmonie concert hall dominating the skyline. The modern glass building with its wave-like façade rises behind historic waterfront structures. In the foreground, various boats and vessels are moored at wooden piers, with flags fluttering in the breeze. Harbour cranes are visible in the background under a cloudy sky.
October 13, 2025 at 10:18 AM
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Houses. — Pinneberg, 8 October 2025.

#photography #StreetPhotography #ArchitecturalPhotography #monochrome #blackandwhite
Black and white photograph of modern white residential buildings arranged in a row along a curved pathway. The multi-story structures feature flat roofs, rectangular windows, and dark balconies with metal railings. Low hedges and small trees separate the buildings from a grass lawn and paved walkway in the foreground. The minimalist architecture creates a rhythmic pattern against an overcast sky.
October 8, 2025 at 5:56 PM
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Trees by the water. — Wedel, 21 September 2025.

#photography #NaturePhotography #monochrome #blackandwhite
A row of tall, slender trees stands along the edge of a still body of water in black and white. The trees create a striking silhouette against a dramatic cloudy sky, their reflections visible in the calm water below. A walkway or pier runs along the waterfront, and additional trees are visible on the right side of the frame.
October 2, 2025 at 9:39 AM
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Cruise ship on the Elbe River, departing from Hamburg en route to the North Sea. — Wedel, 21 September 2025.

#photography #monochrome #blackandwhite
Large white cruise ship with "AIDA" branding passing by a pier under an overcast sky. A striped navigation marker pole stands in the foreground water, with the ship's multiple decks and distinctive funnel design visible against grey clouds.
September 22, 2025 at 1:40 PM
thomasgerdes.de
Bicycle parking stand at Gesundbrunnen station. — Berlin, 16 September 2025.

#photography #streetphotography #Berlin

See more photos from Berlin here: thomasgerdes.de/berlin-colou...
A wall mural in a bicycle parking area featuring a vintage bicycle design and Gothic lettering reading 'Fahrräder'. The mural depicts a classic brown bicycle painted on a cream-coloured wall with an orange accent stripe. Modern bicycles are parked in metal racks below the mural.
September 19, 2025 at 4:14 PM
thomasgerdes.de
Deer. — Aumühle, 7 September 2025.

#photography #monochrome #blackandwhite
A deer stands alert among tall grass and ferns in this black and white nature photograph. The deer's ears are perked up and it appears to be looking toward the camera, partially camouflaged by the surrounding vegetation and forest undergrowth.
September 9, 2025 at 5:24 AM
thomasgerdes.de
Sunflowers. — Visbek, 31 August 2025.

#photography #monochrome #blackandwhite
Black and white photograph of a sunflower field with dozens of blooms at various stages, from fully opened flowers with prominent dark centers to drooping mature heads. Rural houses with peaked roofs visible in the background across an open field.
September 8, 2025 at 9:58 AM
thomasgerdes.de
The game. — Visbek, 30 August 2025.

#photography #monochrome #blackandwhite
Black and white photo of people playing a board game at a wooden picnic table. The table shows a hex-grid game board, playing cards with star symbols, beer glasses, a water bottle, and an ashtray. Players' hands and arms are visible around the edges of the frame.
September 6, 2025 at 4:51 PM
thomasgerdes.de
Sunset.

#sunset #summer #photography
Black and white sky filled with heavy, textured clouds above silhouetted rooftops and trees. The cloudscape shows varying densities of storm clouds with bright patches breaking through, contrasting against the dark building silhouettes below.
August 30, 2025 at 9:22 PM
thomasgerdes.de
Ice cream (dulce de leche flavour).

#IceCream #Hamburg #photography
A scoop of ice cream in a paper cup, topped with an decorative wafer. A wooden spoon rests in the cup, which sits on a moss-covered stone surface. Lush green plants and a sunny street scene with pedestrians blur softly in the background.
August 9, 2025 at 6:38 PM
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Sie sind FaMI und möchten die Forschenden an unserem Max-Planck-Institut unterstützen?

Kommen Sie in unser engagiertes Bibliotheksteam! Es erwartet Sie eine unbefristete Vollzeitstelle mit vielfältigen Aufgaben in einem modernen Umfeld.

#FaMI #LibraryJobs #MaxPlanck

www.mmg.mpg.de/1407138/fach...
Woman with long dark hair and glasses reads at a library table surrounded by bookshelves. A teal overlay displays "Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity" logo and text "We are looking for a Specialist for media and information services (mfd)" with deadline 7 September 2025.
August 1, 2025 at 1:02 PM
thomasgerdes.de
Pink drink.

#Hamburg #photography
A tall glass of coral-pink sparkling cocktail sits on a wooden table in a warmly lit restaurant or bar. The textured crystal glass catches the ambient lighting, while blue decorative lights and other diners create a cozy atmosphere in the background. A small decorative sphere and napkin are visible on the table beside the drink.
July 25, 2025 at 10:01 PM
thomasgerdes.de
#movies
Yellow poster displaying "THE 100 BEST MOVIES OF THE 21st CENTURY" with "I've seen 47" below. A grid of 47 small movie poster thumbnails fills the center, including recognizable titles like Parasite, Mulholland Dr., Get Out, and There Will Be Blood. The New York Times logo appears in the bottom right corner.
June 29, 2025 at 6:35 PM
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Model of the #ship 'Wappen von Hamburg I' in the building of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Hamburg.

#ITLOS #Hamburg #photography
Large model sailing ship with green hull and white sails displayed in a modern museum gallery. The detailed replica features multiple masts with rigging and decorative stern elements. Red rope barriers on metal posts surround the exhibit. Modern architecture visible in background includes stairs, large windows, and white walls with contemporary lighting.
June 18, 2025 at 7:51 PM
thomasgerdes.de
Weathered street sign.

(A heart for children. Please drive slowly.)

#streetphotography #photography
A weathered white street sign displays a red heart and difficult-to-read text asking drivers to pay attention to children. The sign is mounted against lush green foliage, with lichen and dirt covering its surface.
May 31, 2025 at 5:51 PM
thomasgerdes.de
Hamburg Town Hall seen through a skylight.

#Hamburg #photography
Looking up through a modern glass roof structure at the ornate tower of Hamburg's historic Rathaus (City Hall). The neo-Renaissance tower features copper-green roofing, decorative spires, and intricate stonework, framed dramatically by geometric glass panels and metal supports against a clear blue sky.
May 13, 2025 at 7:58 PM
thomasgerdes.de
#Coffee in Hamburg.

#Hamburg #photography
A white ceramic cup of black coffee sits on a saucer with a partially eaten cookie beside it, placed on a dark worn table. Behind the coffee, a glass of water with ice and a straw rests on a napkin. The scene includes various table items like salt and pepper shakers, a notebook with pen, and a glass pitcher, all captured in high-contrast black and white photography that emphasizes the textures of the weathered restaurant table surface.
May 10, 2025 at 11:39 AM
thomasgerdes.de
#Tulips in Holland Park.

#HollandPark #London #photography
Vibrant garden display of pink and purple tulips in full bloom, with blue forget-me-nots creating a colourful carpet beneath. A bronze statue on a pedestal stands among the flowers while visitors explore the formal garden on a bright spring day.
May 1, 2025 at 10:01 PM