| abstract |
A process is disclosed for forming a high-contrast photographic image by developing a silver halide photographic element, including at least a silver halide emulsion layer, with an aqueous alkaline developing solution containing a dihydroxybenzene developing agent, a superadditive developing agent and an antioxidant at a pH of less than 12 in the presence of a hydrazine compound, an organic antifogging and contrast promoting agent selected within the class including a benzotriazole compound and a benzimidazole compound and a non polymeric hydroxymethylidyne group containing compound of formula: <IMAGE> wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a heterocyclic group, or R1 and R2 together complete a non aromatic cyclic group. |