Crossprocessing

Cross processing is a photographic technique in which film is developed in a chemical bath intended for a different film type. The most common form is processing color slide film (E-6) in color negative chemicals (C-41), or processing color negative film in E-6 chemicals. The practice originated as an accidental consequence of lab workflow and matured into an intentional aesthetic among experimental photographers.

Because the dye layers in color film are optimized for specific development chemistry, cross processing yields unpredictable color shifts, high contrast, and saturated, surreal palettes. Typical effects include exaggerated greens and magentas, odd skin tones, and overall tonal distortions. Grain can be pronounced, and highlight detail may shift. The exact result depends on the film stock and batch, developer brands, temperatures, and timing.

Historically, cross processing gained popularity in the 1960s through the 1980s as a low-cost way to achieve striking visuals, especially in magazines and advertising. With the rise of digital imaging, the term also extends to digital filters that simulate the look, but true cross processing refers to actual chemical development of one film in another process.

Practically, cross processing is an experimental technique. It is often performed in labs that offer the service or by dedicated hobbyists at home, using the incompatible chemistry and appropriate safety precautions. Photographers typically test different film stocks and development times to discover the range of possible outcomes and to select materials that yield the desired aesthetic.