What is cross processing?

Cross processing (or “X-pro”) is the procedure of deliberately processing film in a chemical solution intended for a different type of film. As each chemical mixture is optimized for a specific kind of film, you will get unpredictable results when combining them differently.

The most common type of cross processing is done in color photography, switching the chemicals for C-41 (color negative) and E-6 (color positive/slide). By cross processing in this way we can achieve interesting shifts in color and contrast.

If you process slide film in the negative chemicals (C-41), you will get negative film, but with the Lomographic burst of color and other unexpected results! The photos often turn out saturated, grainy or with high contrast. Different films have different characteristics when cross-processed. Some turn out more yellow or green while others turn purple or red.

All photos taken with slide film and developed in C-41: lomomowlem with the Lomography X-Pro Chrome 100, qrro with the Fuji Sensia 200, frenchyfyl with the Agfa CT Precisa 100 and azurblue with the Fuji Velvia 50

If you process negative film through the slide chemicals (E-6), you will get slides. The colors will not be too wacky; you will just get a kind of slide film with no big color shifts but an overall overcast of different color depending on the film. And if you cross process our LomoChrome Purple film it turns bright blue!

Photos by eparrino taken with the Lomography Color Negative 400 C-41 film developed in E-6 and by keepyourselfinblue taken with the LomoChrome Purple Film 100–400 C-41 film developed in E-6

Anything missing?

Can’t find an answer to your question? Or do you have some useful advice to add to one of our answers? We want to build the world’s largest analogue learning space, so please send any further requests or information to school@lomography.com and we’ll take a look!

Learn More

  • What is a Lomographic picture?

    What is a Lomographic picture?

    A Lomographic picture usually mixes the golden rules of Lomography and a few of the defining characteristic styles. However, nowadays a Lomographic picture is entirely up to your own creativity.

  • What are the different photographic film formats?

    What are the different photographic film formats?

    The three main types of film format are 35 mm, medium format and large format. More unusual formats also exist such as 110 and 127.

  • What is a half-frame film camera?

    What is a half-frame film camera?

    Half-frame cameras shoot 18×24 mm photographs on 35 mm film. This means you can take up to 72 images on one single roll and save a lot of film!

  • What are the best Lomography cameras for beginners?

    What are the best Lomography cameras for beginners?

    Lomography has many cameras made for different occasions. For taking your first journey into film, wanting to learn the more technical side of photography, or even just letting loose and experimenting, there is a Lomography camera for you. This list highlights five cameras: the Simple Use Camera, Fisheye No. 2 35 mm Camera, Diana F+, the Lomo LC-A+, and the LomoApparat, which are all great starting points to your analogue journey.

  • What is the LomoLab?

    The LomoLab is our film developing and scanning arm of Lomography. Found in Vienna and only available for mainland Europe, you can send in your rolls directly to us at Lomography – LomoLab, Kaiserstraße 34/12, 1070 Vienna, Austria.

  • What is a LomoAmigo?

    A LomoAmigo is an artist we collaborate with. They bring their own unique styles to our products and we publish articles in the Lomography Magazine highlighting their work.

  • What makes Lomography cameras different from other film cameras?

    What makes Lomography cameras different from other film cameras?

    Lomography cameras are different from other film cameras because they’re designed to be easy to use with film experimentation in mind.

  • What is a LomoHome?

    Your LomoHome is your gateway to sharing your photos and yourself on Lomography.com. It’s where you can upload your photos, create albums, and keep up with your friends’ latest activities.

  • What is Colorsplashing?

    What is Colorsplashing?

    Colorsplashing is a technique where colored filters are attached to the flash to change the original white color. Colorsplashing will give you the opportunity to bring any mood to photos with the full range of the color wheel at your disposal.