Abstract: A multi-part (two-part or three-part) color developing kit includes aqueous solutions containing sulfite ions and a color developing agent. An &agr;-ketocarboxylic acid or salt thereof, such as pyruvic acid or a salt thereof, is included in one or more of the aqueous solutions. These solutions can be combined, with or without dilution, to provide a color developing composition that can be used to process color photographic materials.

Abstract: A photographic fixing composition has reduced odor and improved storage stability. It comprises a thiosulfate fixing agent, sulfite ions, and a phthalic acid or salt thereof. This fixing composition can be used in various photographic processing protocols to provide color images from color photographic silver halide materials.

Abstract: A three-part color developing kit includes (I) a first concentrated aqueous solution having a pH of from about 11 to about 13.5 and comprising at least 0.25 mol/l of sulfite ions, at least 2.5×10−5 mol/l of iodide ions, at least 0.05 mol/l of bromide ions, and at least 0.5 mol/l of a buffer having a pKa of from about 11 to about 13.5, (II) a second concentrated aqueous solution having a pH of from about 3 to about 6 and comprising at least 1 g/l of a vinyl pyrrolidone polymer, and at least 0.05 mol/l of an organic antioxidant, and a third concentrated aqueous solution having a pH of from about 1 to about 3 and comprising at least 0.05 mol/l of a color developing agent, and at least 0.005 mol/l of sulfite ions.

Abstract: A three-part color developing kit includes (I) a first concentrated aqueous solution having a pH of from about 11 to about 13.5 and comprising at least 0.25 mol/l of sulfite ions, at least 2.5×10−5 mol/l of iodide ions, at least 0.05 mol/l of bromide ions, and at least 0.5 mol/l of a buffer having a pKa of from about 11 to about 13.5, (II) a second concentrated aqueous solution having a pH of from about 3 to about 6 and comprising at least 1 g/l of a vinyl pyrrolidone polymer, and at least 0.05 mol/l of an organic antioxidant, and a third concentrated aqueous solution having a pH of from about 1 to about 3 and comprising at least 0.05 mol/l of a color developing agent, and at least 0.005 mol/l of sulfite ions.

Abstract: A color developing composition is stable in the presence of calcium ion because of the presence of a specific polyphosphonic acid sequestering agent. The composition also comprises a color developing agent in free base form and an antioxidant for the color developing agent. The calcium ion sequestering agent is morpholinomethanediphosphonic acid or a salt thereof. This sequestering agent can be used alone to control calcium ion precipitates, or in combination with a polyaminopolyphonic acid or salt thereof. The composition can be used to provide images in various color photographic silver halide materials.

Abstract: A black-and-white photographic developing composition has improved stability and is more compatible with the environment when discarded. The composition includes one or more ascorbic acid developing agents and a preservative (such as a sulfite) and is essentially free of hydroquinone and similar developing agents. It comprises an &agr;-ketocarboxylic acid stabilizing agent at a molar ratio to the ascorbic acid developing agent of from about 0.05:1 to about 2.5:1, and at a molar ratio to the preservative of from about 0.05:1 to about 6.25:1.

Abstract: A black-and-white photographic developing composition has improved stability and is more compatible with the environment when discarded. The composition includes one or more ascorbic acid developing agents and a preservative (such as a sulfite) and is essentially free of hydroquinone and similar developing agents. Improved stability is provided using a sulfo-substituted organic compound as a stabilizing agent. Such compounds are either aliphatic sulfo compounds or hydroxy-free aromatic sulfo compounds.

Abstract: A color developing composition is stable in the presence of calcium ion because of the presence of two specific types of polyphosphonic acid sequestering agents. The composition also comprises a color developing agent in free base form and an antioxidant for the color developing agent. The mixture of sequestering agents includes a polyaminopolyphosphonic acid and either a hydroxyalkylidenediphosphonic acid or morpholinomethanediphosphonic acid. The composition can be used to provide images in various color photographic silver halide materials.

Abstract: A color developing composition is stable in the presence of calcium ion because of the presence of two specific types of polyphosphonic acid sequestering agents. The composition also comprises a color developing agent in free base form and an antioxidant for the color developing agent. The mixture of sequestering agents includes a polyaminopolyphosphonic acid and either a hydroxyalkylidenediphosphonic acid or morpholinomethanediphosphonic acid. The composition can be used to provide images in various color photographic silver halide materials.

Abstract: A color developing composition is stable in the presence of calcium ion because of the presence of two specific types of polyphosphonic acid sequestering agents. The composition also comprises a color developing agent in free base form and an antioxidant for the color developing agent. The mixture of sequestering agents includes a polyaminopolyphosphonic acid and either a hydroxyalkylidenediphosphonic acid or morpholinomethanediphosphonic acid. The composition can be used to provide images in various color photographic silver halide materials.

Abstract: A color developing composition is stable in the presence of calcium ion because of the presence of a specific polyphosphonic acid sequestering agent. The composition also comprises a color developing agent in free base form and an antioxidant for the color developing agent. The calcium ion sequestering agent is morpholinomethanediphosphonic acid or a salt thereof. This sequestering agent can be used alone to control calcium ion precipitates, or in combination with a polyaminopolyphonic acid or salt thereof. The composition can be used to provide images in various color photographic silver halide materials.

Abstract: A photographic color developing composition includes a color developing agent, an organic antioxidant and at least 0.0005 mol/l of a polyaminopolyphosphonic acid calcium ion sequestering agent that has at least four phosphonic acid (or salt) groups. In addition, the total concentration of lithium and magnesium ions is less than 0.0001 mol/l. This composition can be in working strength or concentrated form (including solids), and has improved stability and reduced precipitates, and in some cases, provides improved yellow dye density.

Abstract: Black-and-white elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed rapidly using a black-and-white developing composition containing a hydroquinone developing agent, and specific amounts of sulfite and borate ions. Thus, the molar ratio of sulfite ions to borate ions is less than 20:1, and the molar ratio of sulfite ions to the hydroquinone developing agent is from about 1:1 to about 2.5:1. The developing composition is effective, rapid and stable.

Abstract: A method of processing an image wise exposed and developed silver halide photographic element comprising bleaching the photographic element in a bleaching or bleach-fixing solution containing as the primary bleaching agent a complex of ferric ion and a tridentate or a tetradentate ligand, and then processing the photographic element in a solution containing a chelating compound represented by Formula IHOOC(CH.sub.2).sub.m (X) ((CH.sub.2).sub.n COOH).sub.2 (I)whereX is N, or C--OH;n and m are independently 0, 1, or 2; andM is a cationic ion.

Abstract: Hydroxylamine compounds are commonly included in photographic color developing solutions to retard aerial oxidation. When the photographic element processed in the color developing solution is one which contains an aromatic polyhydroxy compound which serves as a stabilizing addendum, there will be a build-up of the level of such compound in the developing solution as seasoning occurs. Also, as a consequence of seasoning, there is a gradual build-up of the level of trace metal impurities in the solution. Interaction of a trace metal impurity with the aromatic polyhydroxy compound can form a metal-complex which catalyzes the oxidation of the hydroxylamine compound and thereby renders it ineffective for its intended purpose. In the improved method of this invention, the color developing solution is protected against the unwanted metal-complex catalyzed oxidation by incorporation therein of an aminopolycarboxylic acid sequestering agent.