Cross processing refers to the procedure of deliberately processing photographic film in a chemical solution intended for a different type of film, such as slides. Now you can achieve the same effect in the digital world with photo editing programs such as Photoshop Elements and Photoscape.
The first is a photo I took recently in the Wash DC area. I like it as is, but thought the “vintage” bicycle might look better as a cross-processed image.
Before I applied cross processing, I muted the colors a bit and cropped out one of the passersby. Now it looks like the woman on the left is coming out of the mannequin’s handbag. I thought of Photoshopping her out, but I kind of like the effect….
A much more vintage vibe, yeah?
Next, a photo of some tables and chairs at a French bistro on a really hot day. It’s kind of so-so, in my opinion, and in need of a little more stylization.
Again, I faded the colors, boosted the brightness and added cross processing for an edgier image:
OK, I just found out our power is back on, so I’m heading home. Have a great day, everyone.
Pearls & Prose 
hi! just wanna enquire, would you mind giving a stepbystep guide as to how to edit the colors? i love the color hues! thank you 🙂
I’m pretty new at cross processing, but I can give you a quick and easy method. Download Photoscape (it’s free), then follow instructions for uploading your photos into their library. After you choose a photo, click on “Editor,” then “filter,” “film effect” and “cross process” (you’ll have a choice of low, middle or high).
I tend to not give step-by-step instructions, because I experiment so much, and it would take forever to write down all the stuff I use or don’t use. It takes some playing around with hue, saturation and brightness, but that’s what makes it fun. I also use different filters and effects for different images. Hope this helps….
it does! i use photoscape too and never realised they had this function. thanks so much! 🙂
Oh, I’m glad I could help. I’m not an expert by any means!