As a central hub for historical photography in Berlin, the bpk photo archive, which is a part of the Berlin State Library, has recently launched its new website bpk-fotoarchiv.de. With this platform, the archive makes one of the most extensive collections of contemporary photography in Germany digitally accessible and available to a broad audience. We spoke about the goals and content of the project with Stefan Geiser, an expert in information and data management, who took on the role of technical project lead and advisor for the bpk photo archive.
Interview with Stefan Geiser, bpk Fotoarchiv
Under the motto "Experience History" you’ve introduced a new digital offering for the bpk photo archive. What is the idea behind this new website?
Stefan Geiser: We want to make history tangible and accessible to a wide audience. With bpk-fotoarchiv.de we offer a central platform for historical photos. Researchers, educators, and students can explore one of the most comprehensive photographic archives in Germany with over 200,000 digitized images. The free search and download options in up to three different resolutions allow both creative and academic use of our visual heritage. As a living archive, the bpk photo archive offers digital knowledge resources and educational materials. It gives a deeper insight into photographic works
through brief biographies of photographers, exhibition and publication overviews, and carefully curated image portfolios.
Who is the audience you are trying to reach with this offering?
Stefan Geiser: Our target audience includes not only researchers and students, but also the general public. Anyone interested in history and photography can use the archive’s extensive collections for private or scholarly purposes. The platform promotes cultural participation and builds a bridge between academic research and public interest.
What makes the bpk photo archive special and how does it support its visitors?
Stefan Geiser: Our archive, with over 12 million images, offers a unique collection of historical photographs documenting the German history. It includes valuable bequests and lifetime gifts from photographers, which are appreciated as both artistic and journalistic. We see ourselves as a living archive that supports research and education with digital resources, offering detailed insights into our past through the camera lens.
You are already using a media database and webshop from picturemaxx. Why did you choose to employ picturemaxx for the bpk photo archive as well?
Stefan Geiser: The integration with existing systems was crucial. With picturemaxx we were able to save time and costs by using the existing database for the new archive website. Since we’ve already had the media database and webshop from picturemaxx, we were able to benefit from synergy effects. A flexible Drupal-based system allowed us to create a website tailored to our needs without creating a completely new infrastructure. This ensures efficient management and future-oriented scalability.
The integration with existing systems was crucial. With picturemaxx we were able to save time and costs by using the existing database for the new archive website."
What was the development process for the new website?
Stefan Geiser: We focused on efficiency. With the picturemaxx’s standard Backstage system we can manage both commercial and free offers from a single database. Thanks to the modular structure of the Drupal content management system, we were able to implement our project with a small team and manageable effort. On the technical side, we worked with filtered channels and CSS formatting for additional flexibility to customize the design. The system is user-friendly and enables seamless collaboration across teams.
Are there any features or content that you would particularly recommend to visitors?
Stefan Geiser: I would especially recommend diving into our photographer overview and the associated portfolios that showcase the works of renowned photographers. Users can download images in various resolutions and create their own collections. Additionally, we have integrated explainer videos on the history of photography that highlight the processes used to create photographs.
What are your plans for the bpk photo archive?
Stefan Geiser: We want to continuously develop our archive website. This includes enriching the data with external knowledge and adding language versions to reach a more diverse international audience. With the system architecture we’ve applied we are able to adapt to new requirements and integrate new attractive online offers.
Is there anything else you’d like to share at the end of the interview?
Stefan Geiser: My special thanks go to my colleague Christina Stehr who handled the project coordination, to our head manager Karen Tieth for her support, and to the entire bpk team for their constructive cooperation. I’d also like to thank the picturemaxx team for their professional collaboration. Without the dedication of everyone involved this project wouldn’t have been possible.
Thank you very much for the interview.
About Stefan Geiser
Stefan Geiser is an expert in information and data management with over two decades of experience in the digital cultural landscape. At the bpk photo agency he is responsible for key areas of information and data management and has played a major role in the development and implementation of the new digital offering for the bpk photo archive. In addition to his work for the Berlin State Museums, Stefan Geiser is also a freelance coach and consultant, helping companies standardize and automate their online processes.
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