Alluring Neon-Night Photography of Osaka Pushes the Boundaries of Reality

Omi Kim's Osaka, Japan Nightscapes with Neon Lights and Rain

Nights full of neon signs obscured by sleeting rain evoke a film noir ethos. Photographer, designer, and creator Omi Kim captures the nocturnal city and transforms ordinary sights into extraordinary visions. The Osaka, Japan-based creator specializes in street photography, portraiture, and graphic composites which push the boundaries of reality.

Kim, who goes by Omi on Instagram, shoots series based on what he encounters in his photography. The moody, highlighter-colored lights of Osaka cafés and lamp posts are reflected on wet streets. Moving scooters are blurred in motion while figures appear largely anonymous. While his street photography beautifully captures reality, Omi takes his work to the next level with Photoshop.

In some images, the photographer uses Photoshop to isolate an Osaka building on a moonlike surface. These isolated structures are then given unique visitors, such as astronaut-like characters and umbrella-carrying shoppers. For other images, Omi composites his cityscapes with pensive portraits that merge city and individual.

The designer's talents, however, extend beyond photography and moody streetscapes. Omi also is a skilled leatherworker and creates bags and custom shoes for his brand crambox.

Scroll down for Omi's fantastical cityscapes, and then follow his photography and craft on Instagram and his website.

Osaka, Japan-based photographer Omi Kim uses photography and Photoshop to create stunning, fantasy cityscapes.

Omi Kim's Osaka, Japan Nightscapes with Neon Lights and Rain

He makes use of neon lights, reflections on wet pavements, and motion blur.

Omi Kim's Osaka, Japan Nightscapes with Neon Lights and Rain

Omi also uses Photoshop to composite cityscapes with portraiture.

Photoshopped City Scapes

Photoshopped City Scapes

Photoshopped City Scapes

Photoshopped City Scapes

Photoshopped City Scapes

Omi Kim's Osaka, Japan Nightscapes with Neon Lights and Rain

Omi Kim's Osaka, Japan Nightscapes with Neon Lights and Rain

Omi Kim's Osaka, Japan Nightscapes with Neon Lights and Rain

Omi Kim's Osaka, Japan Nightscapes with Neon Lights and Rain

Omi Kim: Website | Instagram | Behance 

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Omi Kim.

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Madeleine Muzdakis

Madeleine Muzdakis is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met and a historian of early modern Britain & the Atlantic world. She holds a BA in History and Mathematics from Brown University and an MA in European & Russian Studies from Yale University. Madeleine has worked in archives and museums for years with a particular focus on photography and arts education. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys hiking, film photography, and studying law while cuddling with her cat Georgia.
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