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Help for using the database / Frequently Asked Questions ...

  1. What kind of pictures are available in the database?
  2. How do I find pictures?
  3. What does »topic search« mean?
  4. Why do I see in some cases a note that the image cannot be shown instead of the image?
  5. What is a board?
  6. How can I download high-resolution pictures?
  7. May I use pictures for non-commercial websites?
  8. May I use pictures of the Federal Archives on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, etc.?
  9. May I upload pictures of the Federal Archives on Wikimedia Commons?
  10. Why should I register?
  11. How can I register?
  12. How long does the activation of my account take after I have registered?
  13. What does it cost to use pictures?
  14. How can I order and download pictures?
  15. Can I order pictures for exhibitions via the Digital Pictures Archive?
  16. What should I do if I have forgotten my user name and/or password?
  17. What can I do, if I cannot find any pictures of relevance to me?
  18. How may I contact you?
  19. What do the abbreviations in the captions mean?
  20. I have additions for a picture description. What can I do?
  21. Why do some captions contain judgmental and wrong statements?

... Answers

  1. What kind of pictures are available in the database?
    In the database you will find photographs including aerial views and posters relating to events and/or persons of importance for modern German history from 1860 up to now.
  2. How do I find pictures?
    There are several possibilities to find pictures: The "simple search" (the search box at the top of every page), the "advanced search" by using specific fields or the “topic search” by browsing via subject, person or locality.
  3. What does »topic search« mean?
    By browsing via subject, person or locality (=topic search) you can find pictures that have been assigned to different topic areas (i.e. "categorized"). There are two classification systems by subject, one system by person (i.e. an index of all persons to whom the Federal Archives keeps pictures) and two geographical classification systems ("Germany" and "world").
  4. Why do I see in some cases a note that the image cannot be shown instead of the image?
    If the Federal Archives hold the rights to a picture in analogue form only, i.e. not for digital use, a dummy is shown. In this case, please contact us and send us a completed "Request for Use" form as well as detailed information on your intended use. We will provide you with the picture if possible.
  5. What is a board?
    You can collect pictures on a board. Please, bear in mind that the board will be stored for registered users only.
  6. How can I download high-resolution pictures?
    Once you have registered (free of charge) and been checked and activated by the Federal Archives, you can download high-resolution images as soon as you have paid the arising costs.
  7. May I use pictures for non-commercial websites?
    Yes, you can use photos of the Federal Archives in this database on non-commercial websites (but not on social media!) under the precondition that you
    - quote the "Federal Archives" as source,
    - add the reference number of the pictures and
    - add the name of the originator, i.e. the photographer. By using pictures of the Federal Archives, you accept our Terms of Use.
    It's not allowed to use photos of the Bundespresseamt (Federal Press- and Information Office) for free    !
    You also can use photos from the Federal Archives on Wikimedia Common free of charge
    http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Bundesarchiv
  8. May I use pictures of the Federal Archives on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, etc.?Since the Federal Archives does not have the sufficient rights for every picture in the Digital Picture Archives to authorise the use in social media, the legal situation has to be checked for every picture separately. Please contact us and send us a completed "Request for Use" form as well as the signatures (=reference numbers) of the pictures you would like to use. Please note that the usage of photos via Social Media (e.g. Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram) which places ads or does product placement, will be charged according to number 2.1. of the Schedule of Fees Part 1 Federal Archives Act. This applies regardless of users acting non-commercially, what matters is the commercial acting of the platform operator.
  9. May I upload pictures of the Federal Archives on Wikimedia Commons?Due to numerous abuses, violations of the provisions of the Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0 licence and in particular of the Copyright Act (§ 13 UrhG recognition of authorship), the Federal Archives unfortunately had to discontinue the cooperation with Wikimedia Deutschland e.V., which began in 2008. The images already posted in Wikimedia remain there, but due to the legal problems described, the Federal Archives cannot release further images on Wikimedia Commons. The posting of images of the Federal Archives on Wikimedia by third parties is expressly not allowed.
  10. Why should I register?
    You may search without registration. For downloading reproducible pictures (as well as creating PDF files) it is necessary to register (free of charge) and provide your personal data in order to enable the automated payment procedure.
  11. How can I register?
    You will register by five (creditcard) or six (Prepayment) steps:
    1. You agree to the "Regulations for the Use of Audiovisual Materials" (Terms of Use).
    2. You provide the Federal Archives with a user name and a password (Link: BSI-Creating Secure Passwords).
    3. Provide us with your data and the method of payment you prefer.
    4. Activate your account by confirming the activation link which has been send to you by e-mail.
    5. ONLY FOR PAYMENT METHOD "PREPAYMENT": Fill in and sign the "Request of Use" form which we have sent to you by e-mail and return it to the Federal Archives.
    6. The Federal Archives will check your registration and activate your account if possible.
  12. How long does the activation of my account take after I have registered?
    The check will usually not need more than one working day (for "PREPAYMENT": after we have received the completed and signed request form and checked it).
  13. What does it cost to use pictures?
    The fees of the Federal Archives depend on the purpose of use, e.g. the print run ( as shown in the Federal Archives Cost Regulations; = "Bundesarchiv-Kostenverordnung"; only available in German); the Federal Press and Information Office charges royalties (as shown in the shopping cart).
  14. How can I order and download pictures?
    - To order images, please log into the Digital Picture Archive of the Federal Archives with your user name and password.
    - Search for relevant pictures.
    - Click on the cart-symbol or select several pictures and click on “[Add selection to cart]”.
    - Fill in the form and select the usage type, then press the button "[checkout]".
    - Check the billing address, press "[Continue]". Then check the order and press "[confirm order]".
    - If you use the payment method ‘Credit card’ or ‘free of charge’, you can directly download the images via the button "[IMAGE DOWNLOAD]". Alternatively, you can download the ordered images under "My Account / Orders (Downloads)", then "[Paid orders / image download]", then “[View order / download pictures]”.
    - If you choose the payment method ‘Prepayment’, you will receive a ‘Bundesarchiv-Gebuehrenbescheid.pdf’ or a ‘BPA-Rechnung.pdf’. Please transfer the amount to the account stated in the fee notice, quoting the reference number.
    - After receiving the payment, you will be informed by e-mail that you can download the images.
    - To download images, log in to the Digital Picture Archives with your user name and password.
    - In the menu under "My Account / Orders (Downloads)" select "[Paid orders / image download]" and then “[View order / download pictures]” to download the images you have ordered.
  15. Can I order pictures for exhibitions via the Digital Picture Archive?
    Since the use of pictures of the Federal Archives in non-commercial exhibitions is free of charge, it is not possible to order pictures for exhibitions via the Digital Picture Archive. Please proceed as follows:
    - Please fill in, sign and return the “Request of Use” form (Contact).
    - Please provide us with information regarding where the exhibition will take place (town, museum), the start and the end date of the exhibition, its theme and which institution (organization) will be responsible for the exhibition.
    - Please send your order in the following form: [reference number] OR [reference number] (example: Bild 146-1984-062-04 OR Bild 183-1990-0518-028 OR B 145 Bild-F008112-0015).
    The pictures will be sent to you via e-mail or BArchBox.
    For processing, we may charge fees according to No. 1.2.3. of our cost regulation.
  16. What should I do if I have forgotten my user name and/or password?
    To receive a new password or user name, please proceed as follows:
    - Go to “Login” (https://www.bild.bundesarchiv.de/login.php?switch_lang=en).
    - Please enter your e-mail address in the field “Password/user name forgotten” and press the “confirm” button.
    - If your e-mail address is registered in the Digital Picture Archive, the system will send you a new password and inform you about your user name. After login with the provided data, you should change the new password under "My account" > "Change password" (your new password has to contain at least 8 characters, Link: BSI-Creating Secure Passwords).
  17. What can I do, if I did not find any pictures of relevance to me?
    Check whether you can find relevant results by using other search terms or the topic search. If you do not succeed, please contact us by phone, e-mail or mail (Contact).
  18. How may I contact you?
    You may contact us by phone, e-mail or mail. Please find our address and phone number on the page Contact.
  19. What do the abbreviations in the captions mean?
    The following abbreviations are used most frequently:
    AdK = Akademie der Künste (= Academy of Arts)
    AdW = Akademie der Wissenschaft (= Academy of Sciences and Humanities)
    ADN-ZB = Allgemeiner Deutscher Nachrichtendienst - Zentralbild (=News Agency of GDR (East Germany) – Central Still Pictures Service)
    BArch = Bundesarchiv (=Federal Archives)
    BM = Bundesminister / Bundesministerin (=Federal Minister)
    BPA = Bundespresseamt (=Federal Press and Information Office Press- and Information Office of the Federal Government)
    BuKa = Bundeskanzler (=Federal Chancellor)
    BuKaA = Bundeskanzleramt (=Federal Chancellery)
    BuPrä = Bundespräsident (=Federal President)
    BuPräA = Bundespräsidialamt (=Office of the Federal President)
    CDU = Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands (=Christian Democratic Union, German party)
    CSU = Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern e.V. (=Christian Social Union, Bavarian party)
    DBD = Demokratische Bauernpartei Deutschlands (=Democratic Farmers' Party of Germany, GDR-party)
    DDR = Deutsche Demokratische Republik (=GDR / East Germany)
    DHfK = Deutsche Hochschule für Körperkultur und Sport (=German university for pysical cultures and sports)
    DNVP = Deutschnationale Volkspartei (= German National People's Party, party in Weimar Republic)
    DVP = Deutsche Volkspartei (= German People's Party, party in Weimar Republic)
    EK = Eisernes Kreuz (="Iron Cross"; War decoration)
    FDP = Freie Demokratische Partei (=Liberal Democratic Party, German party)
    Fs AOK = Fallschirm-Armeeoberkommando (=Parachute Army)
    GSSD = Gruppe der sowjetischen Streitkräfte in Deutschland (=Group of Soviet Forces in Germany)
    KBK = Kriegs-Berichter Kompanie (=War Correspondent Company)
    KgU = Kampfgruppe gegen Unmenschlichkeit (= Combat Group against Inhumanity)
    KP = Kommunistische Partei (=Communist Party)
    KPD = Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands (=Communist Party of Germany, party in Weimar Republic)
    LDPD = Liberal-Demokratische Partei Deutschlands (=Liberal Democratic Party of Germany, GDR-party)
    Lw = Luftwaffe (=Air Force)
    MdB = Mitglied des Bundestages (=Member of the German Bundestag)
    MdEP = Mitglied des Europa-Parlamentes (=Member of the European Parliament)
    MdR = Mitglied des Reichstages (= Member of the Reichstag)
    NKFD = Nationalkomitee Freies Deutschland (= National Committee for a Free Germany)
    NSDAP = Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (=National Socialist German Workers' Party)
    OKW = Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (=High Command of the Armed Forces)
    o.Ang. = ohne Angabe (= no information available / unknown)
    PK = Propagandakompanie (=Propaganda company)
    RSFSR = Russische Sozialistische Föderative Sowjetrepublik (=Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic)
    RK = Ritterkreuz (="Knight’s Cross"; War decoration)
    SED = Sozialistische Einheitspartei Deutschlands (=Socialist Unity Party of Germany)
    SPD = Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (=Social Democratic Party of Germany)
    SSR = Sozialistische Sowjet-Republik (=Socialist Soviet Republic)
    Sts = Staatssekretär / Staatssekretärin (=State secretary)
    UBz = Unser Bild zeigt (=Our picture shows)
    zbV = zur besonderen Verwendung (=For special use)
    ZK = Zentralkomitee (=Central Committee)
  20. I have additions for a picture description. What can I do?
    The Federal Archives describe pictures - if available - with the original text. If no original text is available, the picture is described by the archivists of the Federal Archives. In view of the large number of pictures, there may of course be inconsistencies in individual cases. For this reason, we are always grateful for hints and additions. Therefore, please e-mail us (Contact) your suggestions and if possible include evidence for your modification requests.
  21. Why do some captions contain judgmental and wrong statements?
    ALL information that was originally available on or with the pictures is completely reproduced in the field "Original title" for reasons of critical research on historical sources. Especially pictures from the fonds »Bild 101 Propagandakompanien der Wehrmacht« and »Bild 183 ADN« may contain ideologically influenced or later added texts which sometimes do not correctly describe the picture's content or the original situation.