Cross Process vs. Custom Image Settings

ndhonghai · 04-14-2012, 10:33 AM

Hi all,

I'm a newbie K-5 and don't really understand the different between Cross Process and Custom Image Settings.
- If don't have Cross Process feature, can we do it by using Custom Image?
- K-5 allows to save up to 3 favorite cross process modes, but I don't know how to create a custom cross processed photo?

Thanks in advance for any reply.

Adam · 04-14-2012, 10:59 AM

Cross process is generally useless, whereas custom image settings are what define how your JPEG looks (i.e. sharpness, saturation, contrast, etc.). Think of it settings used for in-camera RAW development

Hope that helps!

asp1880 · 04-14-2012, 03:51 PM

You create a favorite cross process like this:
1. Select random cross process and shoot some pictures with it. They will all come out different.
2. Go into the menu and select the save favorite item.
3. The camera will present all your cross process shots for you to choose between.

Adam called the cross process feature "generally useless". It's useless for deliberate, serious work,
as in artistic or professional work. It can still be great fun though. If you practice and get to know
both the presets and your favourite cross process modes, you can actually produce keepers with it
and create striking, slightly unpredictable moods. It's a bit like a painter throwing paint at the canvas
instead of carefully laying it down using a brush.

Regards,
--Anders.

ndhonghai · 04-14-2012, 08:12 PM

Originally posted by asp1880

You create a favorite cross process like this:
1. Select random cross process and shoot some pictures with it. They will all come out different.
2. Go into the menu and select the save favorite item.
3. The camera will present all your cross process shots for you to choose between.

Adam called the cross process feature "generally useless". It's useless for deliberate, serious work,
as in artistic or professional work. It can still be great fun though. If you practice and get to know
both the presets and your favourite cross process modes, you can actually produce keepers with it
and create striking, slightly unpredictable moods. It's a bit like a painter throwing paint at the canvas
instead of carefully laying it down using a brush.

Regards,
--Anders.

I got it. Thanks.

"Random" means many different cross process, not in default set of camera, doesn't it?

Mareket · 07-17-2012, 01:46 PM - **1 Like**

I generally find the random mode produces a mix of shots of a style similar to the reversal film and bleach bypass modes, but with varying over and under exposure, split tones and saturation. There are probably a bunch of other variables, but yeah you'll get stuff much nicer than the standard set of three defaults if you take the time to look for them.

And yeah, I'd say calling it useless is like someone saying using cheap old off brand lenses is useless. I've been shooting RAW for a long time, and having found a method of processing I finally love in Lightroom, I've decided shooting in RAW just isn't as fun. I've got myself on a non-photographic career path now, so I don't have to worry about being professional or creating masterpieces anymore. I can create photographs.

I've literally only just started using the cross processing mode despite having access to it for years. And it's great, I stumbled across a lovely blue one with slightly subdued saturation, good sharpness, contrast and a bit of over-exposure, and it looks fantastic to me. Shooting with that or my yellow or red preset is, to my eyes, no different than choosing a specific lens to shoot with. RAW gives you huge flexibility and potential, but I just don't think it's as fun. Somehow shooting in JPEG and knowing it's fixed and very hard to alter from it's origin (especially as you don't really know what that origin is with cross process) makes me feel more creative and driven. I'd never shoot it for a job obviously, but for personal stuff I'll be glad to see the back of RAW.

So yeah, set it on random and fire off a ton of frames as you walk around. Find a bunch you like the look of, save them as favourites and enjoy the cross process mode

It's much more pleasing than the other filters available in the camera methinks.

As a tip, you can't alter the white balance and I'm pretty sure it sets it to automatic. This means that indoors things will generally have a yellowish hue anyway, so powerful yellow split tones look a bit overdone. Blue tones are nice for stuff like that. Be mindful of over-exposed and under-exposed presets when you find them. And I find the results generally look beautiful when flash is used, even just the on-camera flash. It makes it look incredibly amateurish, but more authentic as a memory in that case. I've taken some shots of my rats with on-camera flash (gasp) in JPEG mode (Gasp!) with a cross process filter (GASP!) and they look amazing because they feel like an authentic memory and not a piece of art that I've spent ages editing in photoshop to make it look right. It came out as it is and it's going to stay that way.

RonHendriks1966 · 07-17-2012, 03:12 PM

I did use the random cross-processing a few times for a party for my brothers daughter. Kids love those strange pictures that are all different.

I also do sometimes RAW-developing in the camera using different settings for changing the image:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5/146911-k-5-digital-filters.html

This is still my best image out off the camera:

You need a certain image to start with that brings you the basics that make up for the endproduct.

04-14-2012, 10:33 AM	#1
ndhonghai New Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 23	Cross Process vs. Custom Image Settings Hi all, I'm a newbie K-5 and don't really understand the different between Cross Process and Custom Image Settings. - If don't have Cross Process feature, can we do it by using Custom Image? - K-5 allows to save up to 3 favorite cross process modes, but I don't know how to create a custom cross processed photo? Thanks in advance for any reply.

04-14-2012, 10:59 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Cross process is generally useless, whereas custom image settings are what define how your JPEG looks (i.e. sharpness, saturation, contrast, etc.). Think of it settings used for in-camera RAW development Hope that helps! Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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04-14-2012, 03:51 PM	#3
asp1880 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Lyngby, Copenhagen Photos: Albums Posts: 742	You create a favorite cross process like this: 1. Select random cross process and shoot some pictures with it. They will all come out different. 2. Go into the menu and select the save favorite item. 3. The camera will present all your cross process shots for you to choose between. Adam called the cross process feature "generally useless". It's useless for deliberate, serious work, as in artistic or professional work. It can still be great fun though. If you practice and get to know both the presets and your favourite cross process modes, you can actually produce keepers with it and create striking, slightly unpredictable moods. It's a bit like a painter throwing paint at the canvas instead of carefully laying it down using a brush. Regards, --Anders.

04-14-2012, 08:12 PM	#4
ndhonghai New Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 23 Original Poster	Originally posted by asp1880 You create a favorite cross process like this: 1. Select random cross process and shoot some pictures with it. They will all come out different. 2. Go into the menu and select the save favorite item. 3. The camera will present all your cross process shots for you to choose between. Adam called the cross process feature "generally useless". It's useless for deliberate, serious work, as in artistic or professional work. It can still be great fun though. If you practice and get to know both the presets and your favourite cross process modes, you can actually produce keepers with it and create striking, slightly unpredictable moods. It's a bit like a painter throwing paint at the canvas instead of carefully laying it down using a brush. Regards, --Anders. I got it. Thanks. "Random" means many different cross process, not in default set of camera, doesn't it?

07-17-2012, 01:46 PM - 1 Like	#5
Mareket Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Chester Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 719	I generally find the random mode produces a mix of shots of a style similar to the reversal film and bleach bypass modes, but with varying over and under exposure, split tones and saturation. There are probably a bunch of other variables, but yeah you'll get stuff much nicer than the standard set of three defaults if you take the time to look for them. And yeah, I'd say calling it useless is like someone saying using cheap old off brand lenses is useless. I've been shooting RAW for a long time, and having found a method of processing I finally love in Lightroom, I've decided shooting in RAW just isn't as fun. I've got myself on a non-photographic career path now, so I don't have to worry about being professional or creating masterpieces anymore. I can create photographs. I've literally only just started using the cross processing mode despite having access to it for years. And it's great, I stumbled across a lovely blue one with slightly subdued saturation, good sharpness, contrast and a bit of over-exposure, and it looks fantastic to me. Shooting with that or my yellow or red preset is, to my eyes, no different than choosing a specific lens to shoot with. RAW gives you huge flexibility and potential, but I just don't think it's as fun. Somehow shooting in JPEG and knowing it's fixed and very hard to alter from it's origin (especially as you don't really know what that origin is with cross process) makes me feel more creative and driven. I'd never shoot it for a job obviously, but for personal stuff I'll be glad to see the back of RAW. So yeah, set it on random and fire off a ton of frames as you walk around. Find a bunch you like the look of, save them as favourites and enjoy the cross process mode It's much more pleasing than the other filters available in the camera methinks. As a tip, you can't alter the white balance and I'm pretty sure it sets it to automatic. This means that indoors things will generally have a yellowish hue anyway, so powerful yellow split tones look a bit overdone. Blue tones are nice for stuff like that. Be mindful of over-exposed and under-exposed presets when you find them. And I find the results generally look beautiful when flash is used, even just the on-camera flash. It makes it look incredibly amateurish, but more authentic as a memory in that case. I've taken some shots of my rats with on-camera flash (gasp) in JPEG mode (Gasp!) with a cross process filter (GASP!) and they look amazing because they feel like an authentic memory and not a piece of art that I've spent ages editing in photoshop to make it look right. It came out as it is and it's going to stay that way.

07-17-2012, 03:12 PM	#6
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	I did use the random cross-processing a few times for a party for my brothers daughter. Kids love those strange pictures that are all different. I also do sometimes RAW-developing in the camera using different settings for changing the image: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5/146911-k-5-digital-filters.html This is still my best image out off the camera: You need a certain image to start with that brings you the basics that make up for the endproduct.