When you read the headline, you most likely had the question:
So, damn it, what is cross-processing?
Each type of film has its own development process. But if you deliberately develop film with the "wrong" process, using the "wrong" chemistry, you’re doing cross-processing. That is, positive film can be developed with the negative C-41 process, and negative film with the positive E-6 process. The emulsion reacts to the chemistry, the film “goes a little crazy,” and the colors start to change. The result is complete color madness, and it’s truly wonderful! This change gives even more creative possibilities. Negatives turn into beautifully scanned bright images.
Photos taken on film Svema CO-2, developed with C-41
Which film to choose for cross-processing?
All types of film and all kinds of chemistry are different; each film reacts to cross-processing in its own way, so the result will never be the same. Only through trial and error can you find the film with the parameters you need, so we recommend experimenting and only experimenting.
Photos taken on Orwo Chrome UT18 film, developed with C-41
What’s next?
After you load the film and take lots of cool shots, head to the photo lab. If you want to develop the film with cross-processing, be sure to tell them when you drop it off. But not all labs can accept your film. Most labs develop with the C-41 process, so not many can do cross-processing, which uses the E-6 development process. Just be prepared that not all labs develop film with cross-processing.
Photos taken on Lomo X-Pro film, developed with C-41
How much does it cost?
Cross-process development can cost a bit more than regular processing.
Cross-process development of 135 slide film:
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Cost of the reel: 175 UAH
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Cross-process development: 40-45 UAH
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Scan: 40 UAH
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Total: 255-260 UAH
Cross-process development of regular 135 film:
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Cost of the reel: 70 UAH
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Cross-process development: 40-45 UAH
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Scan: 40 UAH
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Total: 150-155 UAH
And don’t forget to make sure the lab doesn’t apply color correction during film scanning. If they do, you’ll get something similar to regular color negatives.
Photos taken on Kodak Chrome 64D film, developed with C-41
4 things you need to know about cross-processing
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Cross-processing will radically affect your shot, especially compared to the original idea.
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Cross-processing will create a striking contrast between light and dark in the photo.
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Cross-processing will change some colors so that they tend toward another color, get ready for complete madness!
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The shot will look so unusual that you will immediately realize what creative horizons are open to you.
Photos taken on HP200 film, developed with E6
Photos taken on Polaroid100 film, developed with E-6
And most importantly - always be ready for surprises with cross-processing, the photos will turn out unusual!
Photos taken on Kodak Pro100 film, developed with E-6
This is not cross-processing, but you will like the effect too
There is another way to achieve amazing effects in your photos. Lomography offers films with unusual effects - Redscale, as well as Lomochrome Purple and Turquoise. These films will give your shots dazzling colors: Turquoise transforms warm tones into blue and turquoise hues, Purple will give your photos a beautiful purple tint, and Redscale allows you to get fiery red or orange images. These cool films let you achieve very unusual results in a completely natural and simple way. See for yourself the different colors, namely: Redscale - on
Photos taken on Lomo Redscale film
Photos taken on Lomochrome Purple film
Photos taken on Lomochrome Turquoise film
Lomography also has a great film - Lomography X-Pro Slide 200, it is bright, contrasty, and according to Lomography, perfect for cross-processing. This slide film can be developed using either the C-41 process (the film produces strong contrast, colors shift towards green) or the E-6 process (resulting in beautiful retro photos).
Thanks to Anatoliy Didyk for the photos and help with writing the article
Photos taken on film Lomography X-Pro Slide 200