Abstract: A black-and-white developing composition includes as ascorbic acid developing agent, an auxiliary super-additive developing agent, borate buffer and a preservative. The composition pH is from 7 but less than 9. The composition can be formulated from two separately packaged parts that may be in dry or liquid form. The borate buffer is present to maintain the desired pH, and the two developing agents are present in desired molar ratios for optimal developing activity. Improved photographic properties are obtained while avoiding the use of environmentally unfriendly dihydroxybenzenes.

Abstract: An image-forming process developing a previously image-exposed silver halide photographic material with an alkaline developer containing a reductone compound as a main developing agent in the presence of a 1,2,5-thiadiazole compound and/or a 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole compound, and the silver halide photographic material and the photographic developer being used for the process are disclosed. In this case, the 1,2,5-thuiadiazole compound and/or the 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole may be contained in the silver halide photographic material and/or the alkaline developer. Super high-contrast images for photomechanical process having a gamma of higher than 15 and having no pepper and less fog can be obtained.

Abstract: There is disclosed a silver halide photosensitive material and a method for forming an image, by the use of a color-developing agent of the type of carbonylhydrazone. The color-developing agent has satisfactory storage stability and capability for forming an image.

Abstract: A processing method for a silver halide photographic material is described, which comprises developing an exposed silver halide photographic material with a developing solution comprising:(a) an ascorbic acid developing agent,(b) an auxiliary developing agent exhibiting superadditivity,(c) an alkali agent necessary to maintain the pH from 9.2 to 9.8, and(d) a carbonate in a concentration from 0.30 mol/liter to 0.60 mol/liter.

Abstract: A method has been disclosed of processing an exposed silver halide photographic material comprising at least one coated hydrophilic silver halide emulsion layer comprising tabular grains rich in chloride, bounded by [100] or [111] major faces, characterized by the steps of developing, followed by fixing, rinsing and drying the said material, wherein developing proceeds in a developer, comprising hydroquinone in an amount from 0 to 30 g per liter, an auxiliary developer, as silver halide complexing agents alkali metal sulphite salts in an amount from 1 to 50 g per liter, at least 1 g of a compound corresponding to the formula (I), a precursor thereof, a derivative thereof and/or a metal salt thereof ##STR1## wherein the substituents are defined in the main embodiment of the specification.

Abstract: A photographic developing solution and a method of developing silver halide materials in the said developing solution is disclosed, the said developing solution comprising hydroquinone in an amount from 0 to 30 g per litre, an auxiliary developer, and silver halide complexing agents in an amount from 0 to 50 g per litre, characterized in that said developer further comprisesin amounts from 0.1 to 5 g per litre a compound corresponding to the formula (I), accompanied by charge compensating anions,Z'N.sup.+ --R--N.sup.+ Z" (I)wherein at least divalent group R contains at least one oxyethylene group and wherein Z' and Z", being the same or different, are composed of enough atoms to form a heterocyclic aromatic 5- or 6-ring;andat least 1 g of a compound corresponding to the formula (II), a precursor thereof, a derivative thereof and/or a metal salt thereof ##STR1## wherein each of A, B and D independently represents an oxygen atom or NR.sup.1 ;X represents an oxygen atom, a sulphur atom, NR.sup.2 ; CR.sup.3 R.

Abstract: The invention comprises a process for forming a high contrast photographic image including the steps of imagaewise exposing a silver halide photographic element containing a hydrazine compound which functions as a nucleating agent, wherein the element is free of incorporated amine boosters. The exposed element is developed with a chemically stable aqueous alkaline developing solution that is free of dihydroxybenzene developing agents and has a pH between 9.5 and 11. The developing solution comprises an ascorbic acid developing agent; an auxiliary developing agent; and a combination of an alkali metal carbonate and an alkali metal borate comprising between 0.125 and 0.5 molar concentration of the carbonate and between 0.04 and 0.35 molar concentration of the borate.

Abstract: A method for forming a silver halide photographic image comprising developing a silver halide photographic material with a developing solution containing an ascorbic acid developing agent, substantially free from hydroquinone and having a pH of 8.5 to 11.0, the silver halide photographic material comprising a support formed of a syndiotactic styrenic polymer and a silver halide emulsion layer formed on at least one surface thereof, the emulsion layer or another hydrophilic colloidal layer containing a hydrazine derivative, and the total amount of gelatin of the emulsion layer being 2.5 g/m.sup.2 or less, thereby reducing black spot fog and improving dimensional stability of the photographic material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a black-and-white aqueous alkaline photographic developer composition, free of dihydroxybenzene developing agent, comprising a reductic acid developing agent and an auxiliary superadditive developing agent, wherein the reductic acid developing agent is represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and group CH.sub.2 R.sub.5, wherein R.sub.5 is hydrogen or a monovalent group, e.g. amino, cyano, halogen, hydroxyl, carboxyl, sulfonyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl.A process for forming a black-and-white photographic silver image comprising developing a silver halide photographic element with said black-and-white aqueous alkaline photographic developer composition is also described.

Abstract: A method of processing a silver halide photographic material with a developer containing a compound represented by formula (A), wherein the developer further contains at least one compound represented by formula (B) or (C): ##STR1##

Abstract: Certain 2,1-benzisoxazol-3(1H)-ones are useful as antioxidants in photographic color developer compositions. These compounds are highly water soluble and are essentially odorless. In addition, they have extended shelf life. They are useful in processing silver halide color photographic elements having at least one incorporated dye forming coupler.

Abstract: The invention provides a color photographic material comprising at least one silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith a dye image-forming coupler and which contains in a layer thereof an ETA (electron transfer agent) releasing compound of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is an alkyl group,R.sup.2 to R.sup.6 are individually H or an alkyl group with the proviso that when one or both of R.sup.5 or R.sup.6 are H, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 must not be H,R.sup.7 to R.sup.11 are individually H, or an alkyl or alkoxy group,A is H or an alkyl group and B is an alkyl group or, together with the atoms to which they are attached, A and B complete a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring group,or,when A and B are not linked together, A and R.sup.2 may together complete an aromatic or nonaromatic carbocyclic group or an aromatic or nonaromatic heterocyclic group,with the proviso that if R.sup.7 to R.sup.11 are all hydrogen then neither R.sub.3 nor R.sub.4 are methyl or hydroxymethyl.

Abstract: A dry process silver salt photosensitive material is disclosed which has a support and a photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer contains at least a photosensitive silver halide or photosensitive silver halide forming component, an organic silver salt and a pyrrole compound. The photosensitive material has a broad latitude for heat development and can form images with a high contrast.

Abstract: A processing method is disclosed, comprising development-processing a photographic material comprising a support having thereon a silver halide emulsion layer or a constituent layer adjacent to the emulsion layer which contains (i) a silver halide composition comprising at least one of silver bromochloride, silver chloroiodide, or silver bromochloroiodide each having a silver chloride content of 90 mole % or more, or silver chloride, and (ii) a compound represented by the following Formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom, an ammonium group or an alkali metal atom; and R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an aryl group, with a developing solution containing (1) a dihydroxybenzene compound, and (2) an ascorbic acid or a derivative thereof in an amount of at least 5 mole % based on the amount of the dihydroxybenzene compound.

Abstract: Photographic developing compositions are provided that are free of dihydroxybenzene developing agents and are used in the processing of photographic elements. The developing compositions have a pH in the range of from 10.1 to 10.9 and comprise at least 0.17 moles per liter of an ascorbic acid developing agent, 0.3 to 0.5 moles per liter of a sulfite and 0.2 to 0.4 moles per liter of a carbonate buffer. Also provided is an ecologically advantageous method for processing photographic elements which utilizes the non-toxic developing compositions.

Abstract: The present invention improves the running stability of a developer comprising an ascorbic acid instead of hydroquinone as a developing agent. The present invention provides a process for development of a black-and-white silver halide photographic material, which comprises use of a development replenisher for black-and-white silver halide photographic material comprising an ascorbic acid and/or derivative thereof which has a pH value of at least 0.5 higher than that of the development starting solution.

Abstract: An alkaline, hydroquinone free, aqueous black-and-white radiographic developer comprising(a) an ascorbic acid developing agent;(b) a 3-pyrazolidone auxiliary developing agent;(c) an organic antifoggant;(d) a sulfite antioxidant;(e) a buffer;(f) a sequestering agent; and(g) A development accelerator selected from formulas I and II as follows: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 represent alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms or R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 taken together with N atom to which they are attached form a 6 or 7 membered ring and X represents a tosylate ion, halide, or BF.sub.4.sup.-.

Abstract: A process of developing exposed silver halide elements comprises developing said element in a developer in the presence of a development accelerator compound as defined. The development accelerator compounds include pyridinium, or pyridinium and and imidazolium compounds. The process is applicable to standard and hydrazine-containing films and to hydroquinone and/or ascorbic acid-based developers. The development accelerator may be incorporated into the developer or into the silver halide emulsion.

Abstract: There is described a concentrated photographic silver halide developing solution which comprises from 50 to 150 g/liter of an ascorbic acid type compound of the general formula I: ##STR1## or alkali metal salts thereof, in which the group R represents a hydroxylated alkyl group, and at least one basic compound the anion of which is carbonate, sulphite or hydroxide of which the cation is an alkali metal, especially sodium or potassium, the total sodium to total potassium ion ratio in the concentrated developing solution being from about 50:50 to 0:100 (mole: mole).Preferably the concentrated solution is entirely aqueous but it may comprise a proportion of water-miscible organic solvents such as ethyl alcohol, or glycol solvents.

Abstract: A process for forming a color image comprises the step of developing an image-wise exposed silver halide color photographic material with a color developing composition containing an N-(4-aminophenyl)pyrrolidine derivative such as ##STR1## which produces an excellent hue in a rapid process.

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: A new class of photographic stabilizers is prepared and their use in photographic materials is disclosed. These compounds are 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidinone derivatives corresponding to following general formula: ##STR1## wherein: A represents a group capable of adsorbing at the surface of silver halides;L is a divalent linking group and r is 0 or 1;R1 and R2 each represent hydrogen, lower alkyl or substituted lower alkyl.The photographic materials containing the substances of the invention are preferably DTR mono-sheet elements which after processing can serve as planographic printing plates.

Abstract: An environmentally-safe, non-toxic non-hydroquinone and non-alkali metal hydroxide containing photographic developer composition is provided comprising a developer selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid and sugar-type derivatives thereof, stereoisomers and diastereoisomers of ascorbic acid and its sugar-type derivatives, their salts and mixtures thereof, together with a sulfite, an alkali metal carbonate, and a 3-pyrazolidone developer compound.

Abstract: A heat-developable color light sensitive material comprising a support having thereon at least a light-sensitive silver halide, a binder, a non-diffusible compound capable of releasing a diffusible dye upon reduction, an electron donor compound and an electron transfer agent, said electron transfer agent being represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, which may be the same or different, each represents hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; R.sub.5 represents a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group; R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8 and R.sub.

Abstract: A method for forming an intensified color image by subjecting a silver halide color photographic material exposed imagewise to light, to color-development processing that uses a monobath development-intensifying solution containing hydrogen peroxide or a compound that releases hydrogen peroixide and a color-developing agent is disclosed. According to the color-intensifying method silver-saving can be attained using a greatly reduced amount of a processing solution.

Abstract: A process for processing silver halide color photographic materials, which comprises processing, after image-wise exposure, a silver halide color photographic material with a color developer containing an aromatic primary amine color developing agent and a compound represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein n represents an integer of at least 1; R represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group or the n-valent groups corresponding to the groups when n represents an integer of at least 2; and A represents an organic group containing a carbon atom, an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, or a sulfur atom and forms a saturated or unsaturated 3- to 8-membered ring with the nitrogen atom, said A is substituted or unsubstituted and may be condensed with a benzene ring or a heterocyclic ring.

Abstract: A method of processing a silver halide color photographic material in which the color developer used comprises an aromatic primary amine color developing agent and a compound of formula: ##STR1## wherein X represents a trivalent group necessary to complete a condensed ring;R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represents an alkylene group, an arylene group, an alkenylene group, or an aralkylene group;and, if desired, does not contain a substantial amount of benzyl alcohol to achieve improved stability and color developability of the color developer and a reduction of fog generation in the running development process.

Abstract: Salts of 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidinones with organic sulphonic acids, which are useful photographic silver halide developing agents.

Abstract: There are described novel pyrazole compounds represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein Y is a silver halide developing substituent or a precursor thereof; R is --OH, --NH.sub.2 or --NHSO.sub.2 --R.sub.1 ; R.sub.1 is alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or phenyl; and m and n are the same or different and each is an integer of from 1 to 6. The pyrazole compounds are useful as intermediates in the preparation of azo and azomethine dye developers or as silver halide developing agents.

Abstract: A color diffusion transfer photographic element which comprises a support having provided thereon at least one silver halide emulsion layer containing a non-diffusible redox compound capable of releasing a diffusible dye or a precursor thereof by processing with an alkaline processing solution containing 3-pyrazolidinone type developing agent in the presence of a silver halide developing agent after exposure to light, wherein said alkaline processing solution is subjected to a heat treatment before use under a substantially oxygen-free condition for at least T days, wherein T is represented by the formula ##EQU1## wherein X represents the maximum temperature at which the heated alkaline processing solution is held, provided that X is about 40.degree. C. or more.

Abstract: A color diffusion photographic film unit comprising (a) a light sensitive element comprising at least one photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer associated with a redox compound adapted to release a diffusible dye, (b) an image receiving element, and (c) an alkaline processing composition element, wherein a 1-m-alkyl-substituted phenyl-3-pyrazolidinone electron transfer agent of the following general formula (I) or a precursor thereof is incorporated in at least one of said elements (a) through (c) ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is methyl or ethyl and R.sub.2 is hydrogen or a group cleavable under alkaline conditions is disclosed.

Abstract: The processing time of exposed photographic silver dye bleach materials is shortened by using a bleach preparation which contains a strong acid, a water-soluble iodide, a water-soluble organic nitro compound, an anti-oxidizing agent, a bleach catalyst, an organic photographic developing agent and/or a benzotriazole derivate.

Abstract: In a process for forming an image by diffusion transfer, this process for forming an image comprises performing the diffusion transfer by using a hydroxylamine represented by the formula: ##STR1## as a developing agent, and using a cyclic imide as a silver halide solvent in the presence of a 1-aryl-3-pyrazolidinone compound represented by the formula: ##STR2##

Abstract: A silver halide photographic light-sensitive material containing at least one compound represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## is disclosed. The compound of the invention has good stability over time. The material has improved developability and makes it possible to carry out simple and rapid processing. The material has good resistance with respect to fogging, stains and desensitization.

Abstract: A method of forming a photographic azo or azamethine dye image in an exposed photographic silver halide element, the method of comprising the steps of (a) developing the imagewise exposed material to form an imagewise pattern of oxidized color developing agent, (b) reacting the oxidized color developing agent with a color coupler to produce an image dye, characterized in that at least one of the color developing agent and the color coupler possesses a metal chelating site such that the image dye is capable of forming a bi-, tri- or higher-dentate metallized dye, and (c) contacting the image dye with polyvalent metal ions to form a metallized dye image. Specified color developing agents include heterocyclic substituted hydrazides and specified couplers include benziso-oxazolones and 2H-pyrazolo-[3,4-b]pyridines in addition to more conventional compounds.

Abstract: Photographic elements, film units, processes and alkaline processing compositions are described wherein certain 4-hydroxyalkyl-substituted 3-pyrazolidinones are employed as electron transfer agents in black-and-white and color image transfer materials. The silver halide electron transfer agents or precursors thereof have the following formula: ##STR1## wherein: n is 1 or 2;R repesents hydrogen or a hydrolyzable moiety;R.sup.1 represents an alkyl or substituted alkyl group of 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, an aryl or substituted aryl group of 6 to about 10 carbon atoms, or an aralkyl group of 6 to about 10 carbon atoms;R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 each independently represents hydrogen, an alkyl or substituted alkyl group of 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, an aryl or substituted aryl group of 6 to about 10 carbon atoms, or an aralkyl group of 6 to about 10 carbon atoms; andR.sup.4 represents hydrogen or one or more alkyl or alkoxy groups having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, methylenedioxy groups or ethylenedioxy groups.

Abstract: Photographic elements, film units, processes and alkaline processing compositions are described wherein certain 4-hydroxyalkyl-substituted 3-pyrazolidinones are employed as electron transfer agents in black-and-white and color image transfer materials. The silver halide electron transfer agents or precursors thereof have the following formula: ##STR1## wherein: n is 1 or 2;R represents hydrogen or a hydrolyzable moiety;R.sup.1 represents an alkyl or substituted alkyl group of 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, an aryl or substituted aryl group of 6 to about 10 carbon atoms, or an aralkyl group of 6 to about 10 carbon atoms;R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 each independently represents hydrogen, an alkyl or substituted alkyl group of 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, an aryl or substituted aryl group of 6 to about 10 carbon atoms, or an aralkyl group of 6 to about 10 carbon atoms; andR.sup.4 represents hydrogen or one or more alkyl or alkoxy groups having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, methylenedioxy groups or ethylenedioxy groups.

Abstract: Photographic elements, film units, processes and alkaline processing compositions are described wherein certain 4-hydroxyalkyl-substituted 3-pyrazolidinones are employed as electron transfer agents in black-and-white and color image transfer materials. The silver halide electron transfer agents or precursors thereof have the following formula: ##STR1## wherein: n is 0, 1 or 2;R represents hydrogen or a hydrolyzable moiety;R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represents hydrogen, an alkyl or substituted alkyl group of 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, an aryl or substituted aryl group of 6 to about 10 carbon atoms, or an aralkyl group of 6 to about 10 carbon atoms, with the proviso that when n is 0, then either R.sup.1 or R.sup.2, but not both, may be hydrogen; andR.sup.3 represents at least one alkyl or alkoxy group having from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, methylenedioxy group or ethylenedioxy group.

Abstract: Photographic elements, film units, processes and alkaline processing compositions are described wherein certain 4-hydroxyalkyl-substituted 3-pyrazolidinones are employed as electron transfer agents in black-and-white and color image transfer materials. The silver halide electron transfer agents or precursors thereof have the following formula: ##STR1## wherein: n is 0, 1 or 2;R represents hydrogen or a hydrolyzable moiety;R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represents hydrogen, an alkyl or substituted alkyl group of 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, an aryl or substituted aryl group of 6 to about 10 carbon atoms, or an aralkyl group of 6 to about 10 carbon atoms, with the proviso that when n is 0, then either R.sup.1 or R.sup.2, but not both, may be hydrogen; andR.sup.3 represents at least one alkyl or alkoxy group having from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, methylenedioxy group or ethylenedioxy group.

Abstract: Compounds corresponding to the formula: ##STR1## wherein Z represents a radical which completes a condensed aromatic ring system;R.sup.1 represents an n-valent aliphatic or aromatic radical;R.sup.2 represents H, alkyl or aryl,R.sup.3 represents one or more radicals to control the diffusion properties and the activation pH;andn represents 1 or 2,are suitable ED precursor compounds for use in color-photographic recording materials. They are preferably used in a combination with reducible dye-releasers. They are also suitable as so-called scavengers.

Abstract: A new color-forming 4-(4'-secondary or tertiary-amino)anilino-1-carboxamidonaphthalene dye precursor in a photographic material and process enables formation of a dye image by means of cross-oxidation without the need for a coupling reaction. The color-forming 4-(4'-secondary or tertiary-amino)anilino-1-carboxamidonaphthalene dye precursor is useful in a photographic silver halide material for producing (i) a dye image, or (ii) a dye image and silver image. The exposed photographic material is processed to produce (a) a positive dye image, (b) a negative dye and negative silver image, (c) a negative dye image or (d) a positive dye image and a positive silver image. New naphthoquinoneimide dyes are also described.

Abstract: This application relates to the use of certain dihydro-benzotriazine compounds as photographic silver halide developing agents and to photographic processes, products and compositions which utilize the same. The compounds are effective developers in acid environment as well as in basic environment. Also described are novel dihydro-benzotriazine compounds.

Abstract: Compounds corresponding to the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents an aromatic group, andR.sup.2 represents H, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl or acyl, are suitable ED precursor compounds for use in color photographic recording materials. They are preferably used in combination with reducible dye releasers. They are also suitable as so-called scavengers.

Abstract: A photographic element comprising a support provided thereon with at least one light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing a nondiffusible compound which receives at least one electron in an alkaline condition to release a photographically useful material and a nondiffusible electron donor or a precursor thereof having the following formula (I) or (II): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents hydrogen, an alkyl, an aryl or a heterocyclic group, R.sup.2 represents hydrogen, an alkyl, an aryl, a heterocyclic, an amino, a carbamide, a sulfonamide, a sulfamoyl, a carbamoyl or a ureido group, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each is hydrogen, --COR.sup.5, --SO.sub.2 R.sup.6 or --CSR.sup.7 wherein R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 each is a substituted or unsubstituted, respectively, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, heterocyclic, alkylamino, alkyloxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, alkyloxycarbonyl or aryloxycarbonyl group, and R.sup.7 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyllamino or arylamino group, said R.sup.

Abstract: A photographic chemistry comprised of a solution containing a mixture of different chemicals which cooperate to minimize the need for long film exposure times to achieve high film quality and contrast. The photographic chemistry includes a number of alkalies in a pH range from about 8 to 14, a developer in solution with the alkalies, a solvent mixed with the alkalies and the developer, a modified alkanolamide in solution with the alkalies, the developer and the solvent, and a hydrotrope mixed with the modified alkanolamide. Other chemicals that can be used in the photographic chemistry include an emulsion penetrant, a cleaner for various components of film processing equipment, a chelating agent, and an enzyme to enhance the reactions of the various chemicals in the photographic chemistry. A specific mixture of chemicals is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming dye images by processing a photographic material containing imagewise distributed catalyzer substance in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, a coupler and certain aromatic primary amine compounds.

Abstract: In a photographic material for producing a dye image or a dye image and silver image comprising (1) a photographic metal salt, such as photographic silver halide, and (2) a dye precursor, improved images are provided by means of a color-forming para-sulfonamidodiphenylamine dye precursor having one to two sulfonamido groups in positions ortho to the --NH-- moiety separating the two phenyl groups of the sulfonamidodiphenylamine and wherein the sulfonamidodiphenylamine, in oxidized form, intramolecularly reacts to produce a sulfonamido-substituted phenazine dye. An exposed photographic material containing the color-forming sulfonamidodiphenylamine dye precursor is processed to produce a negative phenazine dye-enhanced silver image. Alternatively, the exposed photographic material is processed to produce a positive phenazine dye image.

Abstract: 5- or 6-membered .alpha.-lactones of phenolic compounds, in which the phenyl ring carries a hydroxyl or amino group in its 2- or 4-position to the lactonized phenolic hydroxyl group and in which the lactone ring carries an electron accepting substituent, so that the lactone ring is readily cleavable at pH values of from 10 to 13 to form an electron donor compound (ED-compound) having a redox potential of less than +0.255 V determined against a normal calomel electrode at pH 0 are useful ED precursor compounds for non-diffusing reducible color providing compounds.

Abstract: A developer for developing a silver halide light-sensitive material and an image forming method using the developer are disclosed. The developer contains a compound represented by the following formula I or II and a compound containing a thioether group. ##STR1## wherein Y, Y.sub.1 and Y.sub.2 are each a hydrogen atom or a mercapto group, and R and R.sub.1 are each a substituent. A silver halide light-sensitive material containing silver halide grains comprising not less than 50 mol % of silver chloride and have a ratio of (100) surface and (111) surface of not less than 5 is preferably used in the image forming method. Developing speed and sensitivity of light-sensitive material can be rised by use of the developer.

Abstract: A method of processing a silver halide color photographic material in which the color developer used comprises an aromatic primary amine color developing agent and a compound of formula: ##STR1## wherein X represents a trivalent group necessary to complete a condensed ring;R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represents an alkylene group, an arylene group, an alkenylene group, or an aralkylene group;and, if desired, does not contain a substantial amount of benzyl alcohol to achieve improved stability and color developability of the color developer and a reduction of fog generation in the running development process.