Abstract: A photographic developing solution for immersion development is disclosed showing a pH of at least 12.0 and containing more than 0.4 moles/liter of a sugar derivative, or an alkali metal salt thereof, corresponding to general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X represents an oxygen atom or an imino group, and n represents a positive integer from 1 to 4, and R represents a hydroxy group when n is 1, and R represents a hydroxy group or a hydrogen atom when n is 2 to 4.Preferred sugar derivatives according to the present invention are l-ascorbic acid and iso-ascorbic acid. In a most preferred embodiment there are substantially no other developing agents and no sulphite ions present. When developing a graphic arts photographic material lith quality is obtained. The disposal of depleted solutions can be performed in an ecologically safe way.

Abstract: An aqueous silver sulfide sol is prepared which has an absorption spectrum such that its optical density at 360 nm is at least 100 times its optical density at 700 nm. The sol is ultrafine in particle size and is useful for the chemical sensitization of silver halide emulsions and for the preparation of development layers for the silver complex diffusion transfer copying process or the production of optical filters.

Abstract: Photographic image-forming apparatus with replaceable cassette which comprises an exposure station for the imagewise exposure of a photographic silver halide emulsion layer element, a developing station wherein a silver halide developer liquid is applied to said imagewise exposed element, and a fixing station wherein a silver halide fixing agent is applied to the imagewise exposed element, and driving means for transporting the element through the stations, wherein at least the developing station (36) is incorporated into a processing cassette (35, 91) that contains developing liquid and removably fits into said apparatus, said cassette houses absorption means (40) effective for absorbing unused developer liquid brought into contact therewith, and the apparatus comprises means (78, 79, 80) operable in association with the processing cassette for bringing unused developer liquid in the cassette into contact with said absorption means when the cassette is removed from the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for processing an imagewise exposed photographic silver halide emulsion material using a receptor element for complexed silver halide which element contains a stabilizing agent corresponding to one of the following general formulae (I) or (II), tautomeric structures or a precursor form thereof: ##STR1## wherein: X represents hydrogen, alkali metal, ammonium or organic amine,Z represents the non-metallic atoms necessary to form a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic nucleus, andeach of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 (same or different) represents hydrogen, amino, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, acyl, --SH or a heterocyclic group.

Abstract: A photographic processing cassette (35) for the processing of an exposed photographic silver halide emulsion layer element, which comprises:a developer liquid container unit including an initially empty developing tray (38) arranged for cooperation with a lick roller (39) for the application of developer liquid to the photographic element, and a separate holder (64) for a supply of developer liquid and an openable foil (44) through which a fluid connection between the holder and the tray may be established to introduce developer liquid into said tray,a rupturable draining area (75) in the developer liquid container, andliquid absorption pack (40) located to receive liquid draining from said draining area after rupture thereof.

Abstract: An ecologically clean method for processing an imagewise exposed photographic material having a silver halide emulsion layer which method comprises the steps of:(A) developing the image-wise exposed photographic material by means of at least one diffusible developing agent in the absence of such an amount of silver halide solvent that would reduce the coverage of developed silver metal (Ag/m2) by more than 20% using an aqueous alkaline liquid.

Abstract: An ecologically advantageous method for processing an exposed photographic silver halide emulsion layer-bearing material involves the steps of:(A) developing in an aqueous alkaline liquid an image-wise exposed silver halide emulsion layer of said material by means of at least one diffusible developing agent in the absence of such an amount of silver halide solvent that would reduce the coverage of developed silver metal (Ag/m2) by more than 20%,(B) bringing the emulsion layer side of said developed photographic material while still wet by the liquid from step (A) into contact with a water-absorbing processing layer of a receptor element that contains in an organic hydrophilic colloid binder a silver halide reducing agent and silver halide complexing agent and in waterpermeable relationship therewith physical development nuclei,(C) maintaining said photographic material and receptor compound into said receptor element until removal of undeveloped silver halide from the exposed silver halide emulsion layer is s

Abstract: An ecologically advantageous method for fixing a developed photographic silver halide emulsion layer material which involves the steps of:(A) developing an image-wise exposed silver halide emulsion layer with a developing agent in the presence of an aqueous alkaline liquid,(B) bringing the developed photographic material while still wet with the liquid of step (A) with its silver halide emulsion layer side in intimate contact with a water-absorbing layer of a receptor element, which layer comprises an organic hydrophilic colloid binder, a silver halide complexing agent, and in dispersed form a metal sulphide as silver ion scavenging agent,(C) maintaining said photographic material and receptor element in contact to allow the transfer of dissolved complexed silver compound into said receptor element, and(D) separating the photographic material from the receptor element, andwherein said water-absorbing layer contains said metal sulphide in colloidal form with an average grain size below 0.1 .mu.