SINGAPORE – With my trusty digicam in hand and beads of sweat on my forehead, I press the shutter in a bid to capture the electrifying atmosphere of a rally crowd.

As the dim lighting flickers and the attendees bustle about, my camera struggles to keep up, and in the blink of an eye, a moment escapes. I try again, capturing some fleeting memories but missing others in the process.

There’s something strangely charming about using a point-and-shoot digital camera - its deliberate pace contrasts sharply with the frenetic energy of GE2025 and the lightning-fast capabilities of modern mirrorless cameras and smartphones.

What was once deemed obsolete has now made a triumphant comeback, especially among Gen Zers aged 13 to 27, who are embracing the nostalgic Y2K aesthetic that echoes their childhood memories. New boutiques are popping up, selling everything from vintage digicams to secondhand treasures.

With my Canon Ixus 275HS, I found myself pondering how voters documented their experiences during past elections.

The grungy, low-fi images evoke a nostalgia that got me reflecting on how these photographs would compare to those taken at previous rallies, especially my first time amidst the excitement in 2013, as a wide-eyed 17-year-old.

As the GE2025 rallies approached, I wondered if crowds would be drawn out again, especially after a decade-long hiatus. Had the pandemic shifted their preferences to virtual observations from their couches?

But as I gazed through the lens, I realized some things never change. The vibrant personalities, impassioned speeches, and chaotic colors felt timeless, reminiscent of the electric atmosphere from years gone by.

It was a surreal moment that hinted at continuity amid the whirlwind of change around us.

Shintaro, a photojournalist with The Straits Times, seeks to illuminate everyday lives through the lenses of journalism, photography, and documentary-making.