Holga Modifications, Hacks, Tutorials and Information

An Introduction to Cross Processing Holga Photographs

August 8th, 2008 by Durkin
Posted in Tutorials

slide film 120Cross processing is very popular in the Holgaring world because it adds even more interesting elements to the already characteristic pictures a Holga camera takes.

Many of us though, feel a little left in the dark when it comes to actually knowing what cross processing is. I have half written this so I can finally clear it up with myself.

Here is what Wikipedia defines cross-processing as.

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.

Fairly straight forward.

The most popular method of cross processing is using slide film through your Holga and then processing it using the chemical process you would normal use for standard color film (C-41)

(By the way, slide film is the film used when you wish to make slides and is sold in both 35mm and 120mm.)

This ‘incorrect’ process transforms the color, saturation and contrast in your images.

Here is an example:

Holga cross processing

Slide film is still widely available through online stores and in good photo labs. Expired Slide film is still also popular as its cheaper and usually as good as new. Check out eBay for the best prices on slide film.

Some things that you may also like to note is that if you are going to get this done at a lab it may be a little expensive.

The results are also very unpredictable, even from frame to frame.





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8 Responses so far

  1. Whitney on Aug 8, 2008

    I’ve had a lot of problems xproing my film. Seems like it always comes out way under-exposed. Is there a convention of pushing xpro film by a certain number of stops to make sure that it comes out correctly?

    Also, any hints on scanning xpro film? I’ve heard quite a few different ways, but haven’t found anything that works for me!

  2. Durkin on Aug 8, 2008

    i was going to mention this actually! apparently you usually have to get the lab to put it up (or down can’t remember) a few stops to get the exposure correct on occasions. I guess that depends on how much light each exposure has absorbed.

    In terms of scanning I have no idea, never actually used slide before

    thanks for the comment, hope this helps!

  3. Whitney on Aug 11, 2008

    Thanks!

  4. Durkin on Aug 11, 2008

    any time! use the contact form if you have any more questions :)

  5. Dawn on Aug 20, 2008

    Hmm but it is possible to xpro film w/o using slide film right? Like with standard color film then you send it to the lab?

  6. Durkin on Aug 20, 2008

    what would you cross process it with? I too am learning all about this now, but i thought the idea was that the chemical process was “wrong” for the film, hens the effect. What process would you use on a standard color film? :0

  7. Atom Faktor on Aug 29, 2008

    C-41 Process in E-6
    E-6 Process in C-41

  8. pairadocs on Aug 31, 2008

    In response to Dawn’s question - yes you can cross-process regular film. When you xpro slide (E-6) in C-41 chemicals, you get the oversaturation you see above. When you xpro C-41 film in E-6 chemicals, you get a muted shift… colors are less saturated, and have a retro washed feel to them.

    I have found if you’re using 100 or 200ISO slide film, when you xpro it you usually have to have the lab push the film one or two stops so it’s the right exposure.

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