Abstract: A method for forming a direct positive image comprising the steps of:(a) imagewise exposing a photographic light-sensitive material composed of a support having thereon at least one unprefogged internal latent image type silver halide light-sensitive emulsion layer; and(b) developing the exposed photographic light-sensitive material to form a direct positive image in the presence of at least one nucleating agent represented by formula (N-I); ##STR1## wherein Z.sup.1 represents nonmetal atomic group necessary for forming a 5-membered or 6-membered heterocyclic ring, a 5-membered or 6-membered heterocyclic ring fused with an aromatic ring, or a 5-membered or 6-member heterocyclic ring fused with another heterocyclic ring; R.sup.1 represents an aliphatic group; X represents ##STR2## Q represents a nonmetallic atomic group necessary for forming a 4-membered to 12-membered nonaromatic hydrocarbon ring or a 4-membered to 12-membered nonaromatic heterocyclic ring; provided that at least one of R.sup.1, Z.sup.