The History of Cross-Processing Film
The effect of cross-processing on film is a well-known procedure commonly used in many popular cinematic and photographic works. It is often used by artistic-minded professionals with the intent to produce film that is more aesthetically pleasing or to create a nontraditional hue that can breathe new life into an image that would in most cases not catch the eye.
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History
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The technique of cross-processing gained popularity in the 1960s, but Kodak always had made public on the back of its film that the precautions of overdeveloping film during the traditional chemical developing process. As the digital age was ushered in during the late 1980s and early 1990s and photographers began to create more crisp, clear and considerably perfect images, "sprocket hole" photography became a popular technique. This was a stylistic technique of printing the full 35-millimeter photo and revealing the perforations on the edges of the film. Along with this trend was developed a new wave of photography in which authentic developing and the use of cheap cameras and chemicals to develop natural pictures became the trend. This was in opposition to digital editing, and the trend inspired the revival of cross-processing in photography as a stylistic form.
Process
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Processed C-41 negatives have images formed of dye. C-41 is the name for the chemical in which the film is placed to develop with the intention of having a cross-processed tinge. Since dyes have a long-term instability, C-41 negatives fade over time. The colors are also known to shift. Taking advantage of this as a film technique is how cross-processing is accomplished. This was seen as a significant problem with early films, until the process caught on as a technique in the 1960s.
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Identification
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Cross-processing is specifically identified as C-41 or CNK-4 by the photo company, Konica. It has also been labeled as CN-16 by the Fuji company and AP-70 by AGFA. It's most commonly used in fashion and band photography. An example of cross processing can be seen in the 2005 film "Domino," directed by Tony Scott.
Considerations
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Cross-processing film is not the only way to achieve the result produced through the method. The style produced by cross-processing can also be simulated digitally through the use of image editors by manipulating the brightness, hue saturation, curves and contrast of a photograph.
Misconceptions
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It is a misconception that commercial photo processing centers don't provide cross-processing as an option for their film. Not all do, but there are some that provide this service if you ask for it in advance.
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References
- Photo Credit macro chain bokeh cross processed image by Paul Hill from Fotolia.com
