![Redscale film landscape photograph at 7 different exposure settings](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/Redscale_film_landscape_photograph_at_7_different_exposure_settings.jpg)
Redscale is a technique of shooting
photographic film where the film is exposed from the wrong side, i.e. the emulsion is exposed through the base of the film. Normally, this is done by winding the film upside-down into an empty film canister. The name "redscale" comes because there is a strong color shift to red due to the red-sensitive layer of the film being exposed first, rather than last
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C-41_(color_print)_film">C-41_process.html"_;"title="he_red_layer_is_normally_the_bottom_layer_in_C-41_process">C-41_(color_print)_film_All_layers_are_sensitive_to_blue_light,_so_normally_the_blue_layer_is_on_top,_followed_by_a_filter._In_this_technique,_blue_light_exposes_the_layers_containing_cyan_and_magenta_dyes,_but_the_layer_containing_yellow_dye_is_left_unexposed_due_to_the_filter._E-6_process.html" ;"title="C-41 process">C-41 (color print) film">C-41_process.html" ;"title="he red layer is normally the bottom layer in C-41 process">C-41 (color print) film All layers are sensitive to blue light, so normally the blue layer is on top, followed by a filter. In this technique, blue light exposes the layers containing cyan and magenta dyes, but the layer containing yellow dye is left unexposed due to the filter. E-6 process">E-6 (color slide) film has also been used for this technique.
Depending on the type of film used, the resulting colors range from maroon, to red, to orange, to yellow.
The technique seems to have been discovered accidentally. Some people shooting large format color film would load the individual negatives backwards. This phenomenon is likely as old as color film itself. However, it has only recently gained popularity as an effect intentionally sought.
The technique is considered by some to be part of the lo-fi photography movement, along with use of toy cameras, pinhole cameras, instant cameras, and sprocket hole photography.
The Lomographic Society International has produced a pre-loaded redscale film for 35mm cameras. Because of the nature of the film, shots need to be over exposed by one to three stops to achieve correct exposure on developing.
The amount of over exposure determines the intensity of the red. When redscale film is shot at the posted
ASA the resulting photos are almost all red, over exposure allows light to reach the less sensitive green and blue layers of the film. Exposures of 5 stops or more over posted speed can result in the red layer washing out completely and the resulting images appearing mostly yellow.
File:Lomography Redscale camera film.jpg, Ready-made Redscale 35mm film
File:Redscale film load in a Bilora Bella (5628729973).jpg, Redscale film loaded in a 35mm camera
File:Dandelion (1).jpg, An overexposed redscale image
File:Blue Sky - City Palace - Udaipur.jpg, Redscale photo of clear sky
File:Mh Franks Light Leak (79882567).jpeg, A redscale image with a light leak
A light leak is a hole or gap in the body of a camera, or other optical instrument, where light is able to "leak" into the normally light-tight chamber, exposing the film or sensor with extra light. This light is diffuse, although parts within the ...
allowing sufficient exposure for blue colours to appear
File:Lomography Redscale XR.jpg, Underexposed image taken with Lomography Redscale XR film
See also
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Cross processing
Cross processing (sometimes abbreviated to Xpro) is the deliberate processing of photographic film in a chemical solution intended for a different type of film. The effect was discovered independently by many different photographers often by mist ...
External links
Instructions on how to make redscale filmRedscale TechniqueFlickr 'redscale' group- examples and discussion
Make Your Own RedScale Pinhole CameraAn introduction to Redscale filmRecreate the Redscale film effect in Photoshop
{{Photography
Photographic processes
Photographic techniques