Phoenix Imaging

Cross-Processing in PhotoShop

Cross Processing is the technique of producing special effects by processing film in the wrong chemistry (i.e. processing print film in slide chemistry or vice versa). This can be a somewhat "hit or miss" technique and being able to simulate it in a controlled manner will save both time and money. So, using this photo taken at a workshop several years ago, lets first try to simulate the effect of processing Print (or C41) film in Slide (or E6 Chemistry)

1. First we need to create a new Curves Adjustment Layer by using Layer -> New -> Adjustment Layer and then selecting Curves from the pull-out menu in the options box (see fig. 1)

2. Now, select the Blue Channel, lower the highlight point and create an anchor point slightly to the left of the midtones to give a gentle convex curve. The image should now take on a yellow cast (see fig. 2)

3. Next, select the Green Channel, lower the highlight point about half as much as you lowered it for the blue channel and again create an anchor point slightly to the left of the midtones to give a gentle convex curve. The image should now take on a peachy cast (see fig. 3)

4. Selecting the Red Channel we now need to introduce a colour cast into the shadow areas. This is achieved by adding a couple of anchor points to give a pronounced concave curve. (see fig.4)

5. Finally we just need to increase the contrast a little, so Select the RGB channel and add a couple of anchor points to introduce a slight S-shaped curve. (see fig.5)

Here is our finished image . . .

Now lets try and simulate the effect of processing Slide (or E6) film in Print (or C41) chemistry

6. First create a Duplicate Layer then with this layer set as the Active layer, select Filter -> Sharpen -> Unsharp Mask and push the Amount and Radius sliders to the right whilst keeping the Threshold Slider pulled to the left. (see fig. 6.)

7. This gives us a vastly "over the top" result. However, this will not be so apparent once we change the blend mode, so lets now set the mode to "Luminosity" (see fig. 7.)

8. Looking better, but still overdone, so, using the Opacity slider, reduce the opacity to around 50%. (see fig. 8.)

9. Now create a new curves adjustment layer as described above and introduce a slight S-shaped curve to increase contrast (see fig 9)

10. Next, introduce a colour cast into the image by selecting the red channel in the curves adjustment layer by adding points to pull the left and of the curve down and push the right hand side up (see fig 10)

11. Finally, switch to the blue channel in the curves adjustment layer and further enhance the colour cast by, this time pushing the left side of the curve up and pulling the right hand side down (see fig 11)

And here's the completed image