Push processing

Push processing in photography, sometimes called uprating, refers to a film developing technique that increases the effective sensitivity of the film being processed.[1] Push processing involves developing the film for more time, possibly in combination with a higher temperature, than the manufacturer's recommendations. This technique results in effective overdevelopment of the film, compensating for underexposure in the camera.

A photograph pushed by 2 stops, showing strong grain

Visual characteristics

Push processing allows relatively insensitive films to be used under lighting conditions that would ordinarily be too low for adequate exposure at the required shutter speed and aperture combination. This technique alters the visual characteristics of the film, such as higher contrast, increased grain and lower resolution.[1] Saturated and distorted colours are often visible on colour film that has been push processed.

Pull processing involves overexposure and underdevelopment, effectively decreasing the sensitivity of the processed film. It is achieved by developing the film for a shorter time, and possibly at a lower temperature. Film that has been pull processed will display the opposite change in visual characteristics. This may be deliberately exploited for artistic effect.

Exposure index
A roll of Cinestill 135 color film showing checkboxes that can be used to remember the EI for push-processing (expressed in stops relative to the box speed of ISO 800/30°).

When a film's effective sensitivity has been varied, the resulting sensitivity is called the exposure index; the film's speed remains at the manufacturer's indication. For example, an ISO 200/24° film could be push processed to EI 400/27° or pull processed to EI 100/21°.

In cinema

John Alcott won an Oscar "for his gorgeous use of natural lighting" in Stanley Kubrick's 18th century period film Barry Lyndon, in which he succeeded in filming scenes lit only by candlelight through the use of special lenses designed by NASA for low-light shooting on moon landings and push processing the film stock.[2]


Paul Thomas Anderson and Michael Bauman used this technique for the film "Phantom Thread"

See also

References
  1. Michael Langford (2000). Basic Photography (7th Edition.). Oxford: Focal Press. ISBN 0-240-51592-7.
  2. Eggert, Brian (18 December 1975). "The Definitives: Barry Lyndon (1975)". Deep Focus Review. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  • Photography (fifth Edition) by Phil Davis, p373. ISBN 0-697-00300-0
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