Yap's Blog

Back in the 90s, I first saw the Ducati Monster in a bike magazine, I was blown away. What was this radical thing? At that time I was riding a Kawasaki Ninja 150, and the monster was only a distant dream. The dream laid dormant.

Fast forward to 2012, while on a photography job for Ducati Week, that passion was once again revived. The Ducati exhaust sound was poison. Right there and then I knew there was no more hiding the biker in me.

Jonathan, a good friend got me a brochure from Naza, “Yap, it is CKD now, it is not that expensive”. He was right. Finally it was within reach.

I started to put plan into motion. A little more than a year later, I bought the Ducati Monster 795.

It is called “Monster” for a good reason. 

The raw L twin engine, the vibrations, the Ducati sound, the agility, makes it a very unique motorcycle.

Buying a Ducati, you not only buy the bike, but you also buy into a passionate community.

There is no feeling like riding with 110 Ducatis in a convoy.

Riding a bike is living life. Riding a Ducati is living life with passion.

Dec 31, 2010 marks the end of the decade, also my 1st night out with the Sony VG10. Some my friends say “I have no life”. Normal people gather in clubs, pubs & prominent landmarks, some choose to spend quality time with the family & friends, to celebrate “New Year’s Eve”. I, on the other hand just enjoy working and shooting video for Raintree Club’s New Year’s Eve party.

A night of song and dance, low light, and fast moving subjects, positively a  good time to see VG10’s performance. I was amazed. It performed as I expected. The “Active Steady Shot” is definitely a plus point. Hand held shots are very stable even without the use of a steadycam.

Via an adapter, the Vg10 coupled with my collection of Nikon Lenses really took it to next level.  With a 50mmF1.4, I was able to get footages, brighter than what my eyes were seeing.

After the confetti cannons showered the ballroom, and the dancing ended, 2011 finally here. I went home with excitement of the possibility of what this video camera can do. A great way to celebrate the New Year.

Life is strange. Unusual event can change our life’s direction. Through out the years, my friends & clients have urged me to start shooting video, but I did not want to do it. I wanted to stay focused to photography.

On the 23rd October, one of hottest wedding date of 2010, my Nikon D3 failed. Luckily I had back up photographers there to save the day. Purchased a new Nikon D3S, was a logical step as upgrade & back up.

It is the D3S that got me started shooting video. Shallow depth of field plus super low light capability. Nice but after shooting a few events with the D3S, I found out that I had to constantly worry about battery life, sensor over heating, focusing, sound recording, and awkward LCD position.

I knew I needed another video camera if I were to take this to the next step.

This was when I decided to get the Sony NEX-VG10. It is a video camera with interchangeable lens capability. With an adapter, my entire arsenal of Nikon lenses can be used for video.

The VG10 is a video camera, this mean no over heats, shoot to the limit of the memory card.

This is addictive. 50mmF1.4 coupled with VG10, highly addictive.