Cross processing (sometimes abbreviated to Xpro) is the procedure of deliberately processing photographic film in a chemical solution intended for a different type of film. The effect was discovered independently by many different photographers often by mistake in the days of C-22 and E-4. The process is seen most often in fashion advertising and band photography, and in more recent years has become associated with the Lo-fi photography movement.
Cross processing usually involves one of the two following methods:
A lot of people ask me, “Where’s a good place to start” with film photography, which is a really broad question. Personally, my first experience was in the class I took when I was 10 years old, so I started off having a teacher explaining things to me… and continued that for many many years… I would recommend taking a class first and foremost, but I get that a lot of people can’t afford darkroom expenses, in which case I recommend reading. Lots of reading. In fact, I’ll give you a portion of what was my required reading list in the BFA Photography program at the School of Visual Arts:
- Black and White Photography by Henry Horenstein
- Color Photography: A Working Manual by Henry Horenstein
- Beyond Basic Photography: A Technical Manual by Henry Horenstein
- The Camera by Ansel Adams
- The Negative by Ansel Adams
- The Print by Ansel Adams
- A World History of Photography by Naomi Rosenblum
- The History of Photography by Beaumont Newhall
- Coming into Focus: A Step by Step Guide to Alternative Photographic Printing Processes by John Barnier
I wasn’t upset.
I’m taking this as a sign that I am getting a head start on my goal to be amazing at lo-fi photography.