“What is Cross Processing?”

Back in the film days (that was eons ago right?)  cross processing was when you purpously processed a film in the wrong chemicals,  for example, processing negative color film  in E-6  chemicals. In the digital world while you are not technically cross processing you can achieve somewhat of the same look in photoshop using curves.

Today I am going to teach you a very simple way to get that cross processed look.

 Step 1. With your image open, create a new adjustment layer, you can do this by selecting layer, new adjustment layer, and then curves.

 Once you select “Ok” as pictured in the  box above you are presented with the ever intimidating curves box. Don’t be afraid… move on to step 2.

 Step 2.With the curves box open select the red channel in the channel drop box (highlighted in the box below) or if you’re feeling fancy you can click ctl+1.

Once your red channel is open make a slight ”S” curve by bumping the highlights up and the shadows down and when you are done with your adjustment leave your curves window open and proceed to step 3.

The result so far looks like this.

Step 3. With the same curves window still open select the green channel (ctl+2) and repeat step two by making that same S curve. Just like in step two when you are done with your adjustment leave your curves window open and go to step four.

When adding the green S curve my image now looks like this..

step 4. Now this is where things get funky. With the same curves window open select the blue channel (ctl+3)  and make another S curve but this time in the opposite direction. (bumping the highlights down and the shadows up.)

Once you’re done with all of your adjustments if you select RGB in the channel drop box your adjustments should look something like this. When you are done looking at all of the pretty colors you can click “ok” to view your photographic masterpiece.  Tada! How simple was that?

Because we made this adjustment on another layer you are free to adjust the opacity of the curves layer to your liking so if you went a little crazy with your S curve that is ok. Be sure to flatten your image by going to Layer and Flatten before saving.

Now that I have made all of my adjustmnts my image looks like this.

 Fun Tip: To achieve a different look click on the curves layer in your layers palette and select color or luminosity from the drop box.

Here is your new look by selecting color.

Here is your new look by selecting luminosity.

Technical note: I processed this photo using Photoshop CS3 if you would like to automate this process in photoshop be sure to check out my action page!

Have a question or an idea for the next tutorial? Leave a note in the comment box!