Aidan Dockery

My work is split between destination weddings across Southeast Asia & humanitarian projects for NGO’s and development agencies in Asia & Africa. Very different subjects but with a mix of documentary & portraiture both require a similar set up.

Cameras:
I use Canon 5D Mark III‘s which are looking a little worn now and had plenty of knocks but never had any issues. Living walking distance to Canon service center in Bangkok means they are regularly checked.

Lenses:
Canon 35mm f/1.4 & Canon 85mm f/1.8 – These are the two lenses in use most of the time. Also own a Sigma 85mm f/1.4 but find the Canon lighter and faster focusing.

Canon 135mm f/2  – A beautiful lens, if there is enough space to move away from the action then it replaces the 85. There is a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 sitting in my cupboard but hasn’t seen any action in years.

Canon 24-105mm f/4 – as we travel a lot overland to reach remote villages for NGO work I take a lot of shots from the car where I can’t move; 24mm is wide enough to fill the car window and the 105 zoom helps when I can’t reposition myself.

Also in the cupboard is a Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 but have rarely used it since buying the cheaper, lighter, longer 24-105.

Canon 17-40mm f/4. I used to have the Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 but it was attached to the camera when snatched from my hand by a motorcycle thief during an engagement shoot at 6am Sunday morning in downtown Saigon! Again the 17-40 is cheaper, lighter and I don’t need the wider aperture.

Samsung Galaxy S1 – similar applies to any mobile device but this is a perfect size while on the road. For business, keeping in touch with clients – maps for finding hotels, venues and off-the-beaten-track photo locations – talking translation apps for new countries are all invaluable.

Most photographers carry a power bank but as many hotel rooms in Asia are controlled by key cards you cut off the power when leaving room. However, often the fridge is on a different circuit – this can sometimes be a hard to reach socket but if you can, plug your power board in there and you can be charging your equipment while out scouting locations.

www.aidandockery.com
www.abdphoto.com

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