Cross-Processing

Here's a post-processing technique that I keep digging up, so will post here for easy access.
I tried it on an avocet pic that needed a lot of help to look decent.

I see this and similar effects online quite a bit. Usually as a Photoshop Action (Macro) with no explanation. I've also seen vintage or retro effects which seem similar once the general how-to info is understood.

I thought the below book excerpt gave a good explanation of the process and is very helpful in learning what can be done with Curves Adjustments (in PSP9 or Photoshop, or whatever).

Cross-Processing
From book: Photoshop Fine Art Effects Cookbook
(Note: Book was at the local library. For the most part, either I didn't like the effects featured in the book or they were too "fiddly" and time-consuming for my taste.)

Cross-processing is developing color print or slide film in the wrong chemicals — for example, color negative film in slide chemicals ("C-41 as E-6") or slide film by the color negative process ("E-6 as C-41").

...for a period in the 1980s and 1990s, cross-processed images were very much the vogue...

The most common combination is C-41 as E-6, in which slide chemistry is used to process color negative film, and it's a quick job to imitate it in Photoshop.

The curve adjustments can all be done on one layer OR can be on separate layers. I also saved all curve adjustments as presets. (Both in the Adjust area and Layers area within PSP9 Menus.) I made a few more presets when I was studying the material. A cool tone (turn down the red and turn up the blue) and an increase contrast (S curve).

Something significant I hadn't realized is the Dropper Tool can be used within Curves, so a specific color can be selected out of the photo and it will show up as a point in Curves.

More LINKS

A few discussion groups at Flickr:
Digital Cross Processing group
Technique group

layersmagazine
(Slightly different technique.)

add even more contrast - curves adjustment layer
The basic rule of thumb is to raise the red and green in the highlights,
and to drop the red and green in the shadows.
The reverse is true in the blue channel.
Red and Green have the same "s" curve...
Blue has the same "s" curve shape only backwards...