Cardiff at Night - night street photos Photo Gallery by Maciej Dakowicz at pbase.com

Cardiff at Night - night street photos

St Mary street is one of the main streets in the city centre of Cardiff. It is locally famous for its clubs. A large part of the street is being closed for cars on Friday and Saturday nights. Why? because people there are dancing, fighting, crawling, weeing, singing, crying, eating, throwing up, kissing, arguing and doing hunderds of other things. Men in black, men in dresses, girls in trousers, supermen, policewomen, Playboy bunnies... Evereybody is there and so many things are happening.

more photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/maciejdakowicz/sets/1391696/

comment |

apakprearge		22-Apr-2013 19:24
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VENE SUELLA		10-Mar-2013 13:29
Arrogant saxons shows to slavs and the rest of the world example of right way of living

James keane		12-Jan-2013 22:25
Hi just would like you all to know that the pic titled "Snoozing" well that's me and I didn't know I was infamous guys!

andrei		11-Jul-2011 14:33
this is the place where i should be :)

dobbo996		20-Nov-2010 15:04
I'm from Cardiff and these photos are actually quite mild. These scenes are pretty much restricted to the top end of St Mary Street, a 'Friday night no-go area' for anyone who lives in the city. Most people just stay clear and have their own night out in the suburbs or on the other, quiet and sane side of the city centre. What you're seeing is a combination of students from the city's four universities, and, mostly, pikeys and chavs from Barry and the south wales valleys towns. They come here on Friday night, go bonkers, and then spend the next 7 days sobering up. Cardiff is actually a very nice, safe city but not in St Mary Street on any Friday night. Probably same situation in most British cities and towns.

Kasia Guess		30-Sep-2010 21:16
congratulations I have just learnt that your gallery was awarded in the 6th edition of National Geographic Polska Contest cheers

Daydreamer		20-Aug-2010 12:20
The people are there are awesome in your colorful clothes. The guy with the pink hat and purple dress, if that was a picture of my dad, I'd shoot myself. The pissing and vomiting is a clue to brain damage or don't you know. Standing in piles of trash and adding to it while eating subway! Weird. The kissing, the grabbing of ass and crying are a blessing. Overall, it looks like the people in Wales are fantastically unique and strangely interesting. From the U.S. This is the Daydreamer, FNO

KO		15-Jul-2010 20:55
"This is what we, the UNITED STATES defended against in WW2???? We should have let Hitler have your useless fucking cuntry!!!!" OMFG! US troops made touchdown in France in 1944. Soviet army already had already distressed Nazi at USSR region at that moment. PS: WW2 began in 1939 ended in 1945. No USA in war for 5 f*ckin years only for last one.

modelcatcher		06-Jan-2010 21:59
Excellent photographs of what passes for a 'good night out' for so many young people today. I live in Kings Cross Sydney (20,000 drunk kids take over every Saturday night). It looks similar, just more! It's a wonder you weren't bashed taking the photos!!

Rob		15-Aug-2009 08:58
Maciej - these photos are superb.You have really captured the vitality & excitement but also mundanity of nightlife.To those who like to condemn and criticise - these are just people having fun and enjoying themselves,mostly harmlessly.What is wrong with that?

Furachan		01-Jul-2009 12:36
Hi Maciej - you know what a big fan I am of all your Cardiff work which, quite frankly is the kind of portfolio that has already landed some young guys at Magnum (I am not kidding!) In its broad magnificence, this entire night parade, this wild Rabelaisian feast is absolutely amazing - sordid and ugly but strangely beautiful, thanks to your artistry and the way you weave mixed lighting into the shots. The 35L pics look sharper and punchier I must say though I am finding my 35L a bit heavy, large and unwieldy, especially for fast reaction street work (but that's just me I guess...) Any way great stuff - I can't believe someone objected to what you're doing, I'm just shaking my head here, it's like a recurring flashback from TE ;o))) Bravo! Francis

Dandyduke		24-Jun-2009 23:01
Yes, it's boorish , senseless and worthy of widespread contempt! HOWEVER - after many a walk home through this defiance of Darwin's theory - I have to say that actual 'aggro' is a very rare and brief sight despite only a handful of coppers in the town centre at weekends. That said; I couldn't really cope with it all unless I'm as drunk as the rest of them so maybe binge drinking is a bit contageous.

Danielle		22-Jun-2009 19:37
Anyone know the girl or the guy in 'talk on the stairs?' My boyfriend thinks its me and he doesn't believe me when i say its not. any help would be appreciated. Been with him 8 years.

Guest		14-Apr-2009 18:43
An excellent record of the sad world we live in - 24-hour Britain - It's the pits. Stop the world, I want to get off!

settler		31-Mar-2009 18:18
You've captured perfectly our culture 'just avvin a laff' BBV!!

Guest		30-Mar-2009 18:48
I'm not sure why someone has commented that these pictures are crappy or that you are invading anyone's privacy and being voyeuristic as opposed to performing any documentary role. You have clearly got people talking and thinking. I think these photos are amazing - they completely capture the sordid and vile world of St Mary's Street, they could very easily be used in an anti-binge drinking campaign and show the full horror of what I have come to loathe and avoid in this city. Don't get me wrong, I like a drink and to have a good night out... but this just isn't what I would count as that and has a hugely negative impact on an otherwise great city. A very brave man indeed to go down St Mary's Street with a camera to document this. I would almost put these photos into the 'political' bracket and I don't think there is anything that could more public about the way these individuals behave so I really can't see how you can be accused of invading anyone's privacy... indeed some seem to be very much enjoying being photographed.

Guest		22-Mar-2009 16:59
very nice but also so sad great pictures but life is difficult for young people

Not Amused		22-Mar-2009 15:58
These are pretty crappy pictures for someone with such a nice camera. You should learn how to use your equipment and find a better use for it instead of invading people's privacy. They are just not very good and are more voyeuristic than documentary.

Buba Jafarli		20-Mar-2009 10:44
My impression of Cardiff after visiting it some five years ago was different - I though the city was sleepy and Welsh were quiet people! This gallery is an eye opener to me! But I want to thank you for good photography first of all! Very good work, Maciej! V.

selinab		17-Mar-2009 21:14
Very interesting gallery. You seem to hava a knack for being in the right place and the right time and with a camera handy too! Good work. Now for the subjects. Oh My! Most of the people in the photos just made me sad. V for your work though.

guest		06-Jan-2009 18:52
That other guest is right because America is such a CRIME RIDDEN SHITHOLE! I know, I grew up there!

Nina		03-Jan-2009 14:04
Oops...seems an r and an a went missing. I meant "great" shots. Anyway, REALLY appreciate you posting!

NIna		03-Jan-2009 13:59
Brilliant Gallery! I just got back, had been there on a Friday night and didn't have my camera handy. It was Awesomely Amazing! Thank you so much for posting these pictures! Seems the nightlife is about the same no matter what time of year. The people saying nasty things to you for taking these get shots need to lighten up! :-)

Guest		29-Nov-2008 15:07
This is what we, the UNITED STATES defended against in WW2???? We should have let Hitler have your useless fucking cuntry!!!!

Barry Green Photography		27-Nov-2008 13:04
Great exposure of a failing society. They die early thankfully. -v- How did you manage not to get beaten up?

Hochi Abaya		17-Nov-2008 05:48
haha...binge drinking in the uk!!!!!!

Alex JR		15-Nov-2008 12:49
amazing gallery!!!!

Dennis Steinauer		03-Nov-2008 03:45
Maciej, Notwithstanding some probable concerns about showing Cardiff in a bad light, these are just remarkable photos. I look forward to additions to the gallery. I can't help but wonder, however, how you've avoided being clobbered by irate (albeit staggering drunk) subjects -- especially since you obviously are up close and personal in most of these shots. Nice work.

Will Evans		02-Nov-2008 18:17
Great gallery! Will have to add Friday night in Cardiff to my list of places to visit!

Will Evans		02-Nov-2008 18:17
Great gallery! Will have to add Friday night in Cardiff to my list of places to visit!

Joseph Peightel		02-Nov-2008 18:08
Wonderful gallery. My great grandmother was from Cardiff. She came to the US in 1908. I enjoyed looking at your gallery and thinking of her and what my life might have been like in Cardiff. Some things look so universal.

Guest		16-Sep-2008 13:14
Great photos, I spent most of my 4 years in Cardiff avoiding St Mary Street for these very reasons!!! Patrick

Jean-Michel Peers		08-Sep-2008 10:22
Great job, perhaps a bit risky, but you've taken the most expressive and lively shots of the street night life. Light and colors are superb and add a great artistic feeling to what could be considered as simply crude. Vote!

Sue Roberts		07-Sep-2008 21:05
this is an amazing gallery of gritty realistic photos. i havent worked my way through it all but it is an incredibly interesting group of pictures.

Monkeytoes		31-Aug-2008 23:05
Whats pathetic, is how the 'fine decent' people that you obviously claim to be grouped with, even bother to pass comment on these pictures. This is the type of thing you have to SEARCH for to be able to find, so by looking for 'drunk pictures of people' surely your just lowering yourself to the 'pathetic' level?. Im Surprised there are no pictures of myself in any of these albums, becuase Cardiff is just about the best place to have a night out in in teh whole of the U.K, who cares if theres food on the floor and the guys pissing in the corner, id rather that than bubble wrap on every sharp corner and a V.A.T charge for every chip you buy.

Miao		31-Aug-2008 23:00
This gallery is amazing!!! Hope to see you on a night out sometime ;)

Guest		19-Aug-2008 15:07
The people in these photographs ought to be ashamed of themselves: that they have shown Cardiff in such a derogatory manner. Cardiff is a fine city populated by a majority of fine decent friendly people. Shame on those depicted here.

Kilkenny Photographic Society		29-Jul-2008 22:36
Your photos depict just how low our modern society has become. Very sad and pathetic really. Personally, I'd rather not see this kind of photography on Pbase. H. Reid.

Oktay		26-Jul-2008 19:48
Excellant Gallery , Congratulations

Guest		25-Jul-2008 13:18
voted

Chris Keay		22-Jul-2008 09:03
I have to say this one of the best galleries i have ever seen. Superb captures, each picture tells a story!

Jeff Real		20-Jul-2008 17:19
It is a wonderful experience to see this area through your photography ~V~

Kasia Guess		19-Jul-2008 23:12
excellent shots showing a piece of nowadays customs and style of spending free time in some countries btw Glasgow on Saturday's nights looks the same funny and sad

Paul L-R		19-Jul-2008 22:48
Excellent work and an accurate portrayal of Britain in the 21stC. This could be any street in any major town or city in the UK on a Friday or Saturday night. Where did it all go wrong? A social documentary of the highest quality. V

Guest		16-Jul-2008 21:37
excellent work! Sometimes I just can't stop laughing) Now I can imagine what the night life is like in Cardiff! really crazy)

Photoland		15-Jul-2008 21:43
Wonderful collection and work...Congratulations. Really enjoy to watch...

Guest		15-Jul-2008 12:39
wow! what a great gallery of fun-filled night adventure thanks for making my day

Jim & Josefina		12-Jul-2008 20:59
Fun and happy nightlife! Interesting Gallery! V!... Josefina

Dennis Steinauer		06-Jul-2008 14:32
I really love this gallery. It is an fascinating snapshot of an age that I have long passed, and it offers insights (true and false) into a youth culture most of us never see. Great work!

Wendy O		29-Jun-2008 21:31
Fabulous gallery, you have captured a culture here. Great pictures! V.

olderhvit		28-Jun-2008 20:44
You are doing a great job with these galleries, alot of fun to go thru. Well done. Big Vote.

Bill McClung		28-Jun-2008 20:41
Outstanding images! My wife and I spent some time in Cardiff on a 36-day UK tour. This part of town is definitely NOT on the tourist route! We are from the US, but most of the folks on our bus were Aussies. They would have had a REALLY good time. Looks like fun.

Ali Majdfar		28-Jun-2008 05:14
Spectacular gallery, stunning shots. GMV

settler		21-Jun-2008 08:42
So many fine captures...what a great gallery!...HUGE VOTE!!

Valery Titievsky		01-Jun-2008 03:06
Great shots & great gallery. Vote.

John Amato		23-May-2008 22:33
Great images and captures. fine documentation. V

Lord Inaire		08-May-2008 22:14
but where is Bono? lolll great moments ! thank you!

Graham Hamilton		26-Apr-2008 17:27
Better you than me - great gallery

harry		15-Apr-2008 10:09
Thats gold!

Stefan Schmitz		15-Feb-2008 20:37
Extrodinary street photography Maciej!

mart s		13-Feb-2008 19:53
some good pics here,this gallery should be called the sad state of today.

Tim Irwin		13-Feb-2008 19:51
a very accurate - if depressing - portrayal of a a big night out in many British cities. Excellent documentary work, not crazy about the captions though. V.

Walter O. Koenig		11-Feb-2008 03:32
Very interesting and informative street photography. A lot of striking images here. You certainly convey strong feelings and messages here. Reading the comments was interesting in itself. I'm amazed about three things. First, I didn't know that Cardiff was such a party town, second that you did not have any problems with the subjects taking the images, and third that they are so good for night time images. All crisp and clear. Great job. "V" Best Wishes, Walter

Jim Newman Photography		27-Jan-2008 15:10
great gallery so much detail so much emotion! V

Dave Medcraft		07-Jan-2008 21:15
Such a different place at night! Voted.

JESSEROMA		21-Dec-2007 22:07
aaaaand I am going there in a couple of days for Christmas!!!! I will definitely take a picture with someone who is passed out on the st mary street

Guest		04-Dec-2007 21:38
the best street photos I have seen in a long time! Congratulations . -verybigvote-

joseph		30-Nov-2007 23:55
just GREAT!!!!! very expressive (and impressive) enjoyed a lot!!!

Guest		27-Nov-2007 17:24
very original gallery, never seen one like this, doesn't make me want to pack up and move to Cardiff much though...

Joel		27-Nov-2007 16:11
A most colorful and expressive gallery. You've done well to capture the energy of this area. I admire your courage as I've often thought of doing something similar in our deprived neighborhood, but haven't mustered the courage. Vote

Guest		26-Nov-2007 20:30
A stunning documentary of a very unattractive place populated by very crude people. Well done.

Joe Muschinske		26-Nov-2007 04:13
Kudos on such an exciting gallery and excellent use of the 5d's low light capabilities. Well done!

Guest		25-Nov-2007 21:11
Fantastic gallery. 10 /10 for bravery! You've got real balls doing this !!!!!

Gonzalo GV		25-Nov-2007 18:12
One of the best Street Photography documents I have ever seen. Congratulations. Trully inspirational. V

andreas		23-Nov-2007 22:21
very few noise for 1600 iso

Maciej Dakowicz		23-Nov-2007 21:52
I shoot in RAW

andreas		23-Nov-2007 20:20
Did you take this shots as jpegs or were they made in raw format?

ltolksdorf		23-Nov-2007 07:02
Great series. I remember those secnes from Dublin.

andreas		22-Nov-2007 21:00
Absolutely brilliant. How long did it take to collect all these pics? If you say one night, I will hang up myself at the next tree :)

Gilles Navet		20-Nov-2007 08:44
Night birds..... amazing journalistic approach of true life Bravo Vote Gilles

Hans Novak		19-Nov-2007 21:28
EXCELLENTE GALERIE ! Hans - Vienna

Francesca		29-Oct-2007 22:25
I am so embarrassed to be from Cardiff when I see what it's like on a Friday night, how can such a beautiful city turn into such a fuckheadfest!?

Vladimir Babkin		29-Aug-2007 17:07
I admire

Jill		11-Aug-2007 12:48
The vulgarity of the human race. A honest, yet uncomfortable gallery.

Maciej Dakowicz		05-Aug-2007 21:35
ha, I had to run away several times last night, it didn't really happened much to me before

wildoat		05-Aug-2007 21:26
Great gallery, though it makes me feel embarrassed to be British. A word of warning, I have seen people attacked when trying to take photos of very drunk people so be very careful !

Pawel Kazmierczyk		05-Aug-2007 21:15
geez, what a place.... Greatr gallery, big vote. Pawel PS1 You are quite a brave man, to venture out with an expensive camera and taking pix on fri and sat. PS2. I agree with the previous post about too many photos. I think if you took out one third, then the great one woudl realy shine.

Guest		01-Aug-2007 20:50
hi. i reaaly love your work. but im thinkig that---thereis too many pictures, csan you tell us this history with 20 pictures?? bye.. -v-

Maciej Dakowicz		01-Aug-2007 18:20
does weeing sound better? what word should I use then? my English is not really high-class

MEERKAT		01-Aug-2007 18:00
PEEING? RATHER VULGAR AND LOW-CLASS CHOICE OF WORDS! OH WELL! I REALLY DON'T GIVE A SHIT!

Annelise		11-Jul-2007 23:08
Ha ha - great pics, expertly captured! Look forward to seeing more! BTW - this sort of debauchery doesn't only go on in UK cities. You will find scenes like this in cities all across the world - people do occasionally like to let loose and have fun! So, to the people saying that this represents the downfall of modern UK society, I say "LIGHTEN UP!"

Guest		11-Jul-2007 08:30
awesome gallery! you've spent too much time out there! :-) v.

Chris Thomas		08-Jul-2007 22:03
What a colourful and accurate account of Cardiff nightlife!! Well done!

skhin		08-Jul-2007 14:58
Not all it what we want it to be. Thanks for sharing this side of life.

Sam H		02-Jul-2007 21:50
Brilliant Gallery ! Big Vote !

Barbara Read and Fred Schaad		30-Jun-2007 15:07
Excellent collection of candids. V

Richard Calmes		27-Jun-2007 17:04
....and in that order! Well done! Great timing! V

Cliff		26-Jun-2007 23:41
Love your work !

gdur		25-Jun-2007 20:03
Very nice serie. Voted

simon		25-Jun-2007 05:19
i like this gallery.so many good shots!!! but.... i think english people are really disgusting...and bored.....

Kaden Kratzer		24-Jun-2007 20:12
Holy crappola, the place is like wildville!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man, oh man. V

routerer		24-Jun-2007 18:02
Voted john

jim crossin		24-Jun-2007 14:41
I really enjoyed this gallery Thank you!!

Guest		24-Jun-2007 14:27
Yukky Poo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Johan Gerrits		24-Jun-2007 14:25
Thanks for this awesome reportage of britisch nighlife, excellent work as usual. Big Vote

Jason Anderson		26-May-2007 11:26
Honest, hilarious and periodically sad documentary on 'life in the street.' This could be so many places, on so many nights, and once upon a time it could have been me (though I managed to keep my pants on most nights, I think). Youth out of control -- but I wonder if they have much of a motivation to keep in control? Sidestepping any more social commentary, very very well done!

Adrian Reilly		15-May-2007 21:25
love the new additions

Bob Boisvert		13-May-2007 14:57
Amazing shots of a disturbing situation.

CD		26-Mar-2007 21:28
This site is fantastic, I cannot believe the state peopple let them get into, and before snyone thinks I am judging, I count myself as one of them. I will be putting this in my bookmarks to show my daughters what happens when Cardiff turns nasty.

kalyand		28-Nov-2006 21:36
Great shots ..Very absorbing and interesting shots

Gil Azouri		26-Nov-2006 22:44
Outstanding street photography!

Ishai Gonda		14-Nov-2006 12:15
It wonderful to see how you and your pictures are growing Ishai http://www.pbase.com/ishai/abstract

Mike Stobbs		24-Sep-2006 13:09
Great gallery of the Cardiff Night Life...keep up the super work...Mike

Arjayphotography		22-Sep-2006 10:53
Hiya Maciej....absolutely love your work and would love to see you in the field as some of these situations could easily be confrontational - keep going! (although I'm sure you will). I just wish you would not update your gallery the same time as me.....I've got not chance of people having a look at my gallery when you update yours :-) Very inspirational gallery mate, I look forward to further installments! ArJay

Stan Schutze		13-Sep-2006 15:53
how disgusting! Thanks for sharing ;-)

Guest		10-Sep-2006 15:07
Lol man, this is just awesome. With all the beautiful galleries on pbase with images of history, architecture and street life (which are genuinely great) - it's marvellously refreshing to see something like this - a real slice of UK life. This could be any city I've been to anywhere on the British Isles. It might shatter a few illusions but there's nothing like a good healthy dose of reality. This is just awesome. Thk goodness for popular galleries - a real pleasure to find and view this. Add my vote

Bethany Forgey		09-Sep-2006 19:19
EXCELLANT GALLERY!

John Harvey Photography		08-Sep-2006 02:24
Amazing collection Maciej, and congrats on the newspaper feature. John

Stu Egan		05-Sep-2006 21:45
Brilliant set of photos - magnificent street photography and some very risky moments. Enjoyed them all.

Marcos Rodriguez		04-Sep-2006 22:15
Good job in capturing modern nightlife in all its debauchery; call me a prune, but it's kinda sad to see the youth of what once was the cradle and center of Western Civilization falling so low. In looking at these images, it's not very difficult to imagine why Islamofascists see the West as utterly decadent and, therefore, ready for conquest.... Marcos Rodriguez / www.aukeramen.com

Emma Assender		04-Sep-2006 20:24
If every picture tells a story, you've written a few novels right there on Chip Alley!! Fantastic candids: as a Welsh person I've thoroughly enjoyed looking at your vibrant and humerous outlook of Cardiff. GMV!

Guest		03-Sep-2006 20:27
What a fun place to be and such a fun gallery,.

Guest		03-Sep-2006 18:38
Excellent photos, you show a side of Cardiff that I can recognise. There's an appreciative discussion of your work going on here: http://urban75.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=174794

Rob Oele		03-Sep-2006 11:50
Well, this is streetphotography at it's best; the raw life so to say. GMV, Rob

Guest		02-Sep-2006 11:40
Dawno nie zagladalem, a tu sie sporo "pododawalo" spoko galeria z klimatem na maxa i trzyma swoj klimat , nie porozrzucane te zdjecia , tylko wszystkie w jednej parafii sie trzymaja, tak haha w "PARISH SAINT MARY"...hahahaha, ale mi sie udalo...haha

Marc Rey		31-Aug-2006 20:09
Great gallery! Street photography at its best. Best regards, Marc. gmv

Paulo Ferreira		31-Aug-2006 10:17
Wonderful gallery. I hope the City of Cardiff makes you a Citizen Emeritus one day. You really show its reality.

Tracy Howell		31-Aug-2006 09:58
LOOKS LIKE SOME HEAVY PARTYING GOES ON IN CARDIFF... SOME REALLY GREAT CAPTURES..........CAN REALLY RELATE TO THE GIRLS LIKE CHIPS HA HA!. GREAT STUFF

Kaparu2		31-Aug-2006 01:35
fantastic work Maciej - really dedicated night work!! What a truly bizarre and surreal place Britain is.......when Salvador Dali was asked what Britain would make of surrealism he said something like 'Britain is the inspiration for it"...or maybe it was someone else who said it - your work is really imnspiring social/cultural documentary. best wishes Kev

Sebastian		29-Aug-2006 07:39
Excellt gallery a true documentary of nightlife, great photography. Voted

Dan Chusid		29-Aug-2006 02:57
Lots of great images in here. Love it!

Guest		10-Aug-2006 21:16
Great looking gallery. The 35mm F2 lens appears to be an excellent choice for low light photography.

Adrian Reilly		01-Aug-2006 19:46
Ive been inspired by your street photography Maciej and recently captured the Street of Barcelona. Street photography is becoming my addiction. Keep up the good work, a modern day Cartier Bresson, you know how to capture the decisive moment. Vote http://www.pbase.com/mescaleroman/barca_streets I would value your opinion

Ed		25-Jul-2006 16:06
Absolutely fantastic gallery reminds me why I left the UK... cheers

Nigwel		06-Jul-2006 21:35
Brilliant Gallery..

david procter		01-Jul-2006 07:01
ROUGH! The great British night life scene - superbly captured Maciej, watch yourself, its a jungle out there.v

Piotr Stankiewicz		25-Jun-2006 16:05
Niby proste sytuacje dnia codziennego, a jednak potrafisz w nich znalezc cos szczegolnego. Niezle foty!

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