Thomas Gerdes

@thomasgerdes

Head of Library at Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science, Göttingen. | Passionate about open science and supporting research. | thomasgerdes.de

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Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Mar 16

Tree works. #trees #spring #photography

A photograph of a tall, bare tree dominating the centre of the frame, its intricate leafless branches spreading across a pale sky. A lawn stretches across the foreground. Behind the tree, bare shrubs and a residential house are softly visible, suggesting early spring. A metal ladder lies flat on the grass to the right.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Mar 4

Du hast Interesse an Medien, moderner Bibliotheksarbeit und möchtest Wissen zugänglich machen? Bewirb dich für eine Ausbildung als Fachangestellte/r für Medien- und Informationsdienste (m/w/d) bei uns! #FaMI #Ausbildung #Bibliothek #Göttingen #MaxPlanck bewerbermanagement.net/jobposting/f...

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Dec 30

Südlohner Moor. — Diepholz, 29 December 2025. For more photos of the moorland in winter, visit thomasgerdes.de/moorland-in-... #photography #landscape #nature #moor #winter

Solitary mature tree stands in the centre of an expansive rust-orange moorland. The scene features layers of autumn-coloured heathland vegetation, with misty treelines receding into a soft grey sky, creating a minimalist composition.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Dec 19

Wishing you a peaceful holiday season and all the best for the New Year 2026!

A Christmas tree made entirely of stacked books arranged in a conical shape, wrapped with warm white fairy lights and topped with a golden glitter star. The tree stands in a library with bookshelves visible in the background. Wrapped presents sit at the base on a wooden floor.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Dec 10

Yellow. — Oldenburg, 25 November 2025. #photography #StreetPhotography #yellow #harbour #Oldenburg

A bright yellow metal arch rests on a weathered stone wall next to a green mooring post along a misty canal. The foggy atmosphere obscures the brick buildings and bare trees in the background, while the water reflects the atmospheric scene.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Nov 29

A boat in the foggy harbour. — Oldenburg, 25 November 2025. #photography #StreetPhotography #monochrome #blackandwhite #harbour #Oldenburg

Moored sailboat beneath bare tree branches on a foggy harbour morning. The vessel's mast and rigging extend upward through leafless limbs, while fog obscures apartment buildings in the background. The monochromatic scene captures the quiet, misty atmosphere of a winter waterfront.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Nov 29

Fog and reflexions in the harbour. — Oldenburg, 25 November 2025. #photography #StreetPhotography #monochrome #blackandwhite #harbour #Oldenburg

Modern apartment buildings shrouded in dense fog along a harbour waterfront. A tall poplar tree stands between two residential towers with curved balconies. Bare winter trees line a wooden fence at the water's edge, with reflections visible in the still, dark water below.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Nov 14

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.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Nov 14

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.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Nov 2

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.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Nov 1

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.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Oct 24

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.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Oct 16

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.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Oct 16

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.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Oct 13

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.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Oct 8

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.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Oct 2

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.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Sep 22

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.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Sep 19

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.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Sep 9

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.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Sep 8

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.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Sep 6

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.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Aug 30

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.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Aug 9

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.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Aug 1

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...

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Jul 25

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.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Jun 29

#movies

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· Jun 18

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.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· May 31

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.

Thomas Gerdes@thomasgerdes· May 13

Hamburg Town Hall seen through a skylight. #Hamburg #photography