Lowering the contrast

How do I go about to lowering the contrast on an already low contrast film such as Fuji 160S or 400H? Overexposure? Pull devel? Both?

printing option

Use a low contrast print paper is one option. With all of the name changes in the kodak line I am not sure what it is called now; I have a box of portra somethingorother that is nice for low contrast results.

The other option for low contrast is to lower the lighting ratio you are shooting under, if that suits the subject.

Something like a powerful fill flash can work wonders for portraits when shot outdoors. I have an old Metz 60CT1 that I keep for just this purpose. I also deploy an overhead scrim to cut the overhead light if there are no spots in the shade of a tree etc. to otherwise work in and it is a sunny day.

Hope these ideas get you thinking.

You can certainly use a shortened development time to lower the contrast of the negatives. There will be some colour shift but I have found that NPH reacts well. I wouldn't shorten the development by more than about half a stop. Thats 3:00 rather than the standard 3:15 development of C41. If you use a pro lab then they may offer this service. There has to be a degree of trial and error with all of this, so go suck it and see. Just don't expect to be able to mess around with C41 like B & W film and chemistry

Does pre-flashing the paper have the same effect in color as it does in B&W?

I think both overexposure and pre-flashing the film would be worth experimenting with.

Jon