Abstract: Method of treating a dye image in photographic material which dye image has been formed by the color coupling reaction of a primary aromatic amine color developing agent with a phenolic color coupler of the formula ##STR1## where T is hydroxy or amino, one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 is the coupling position and if it is the coupling position the substituent group is hydrogen or halogen, a nitrogen-linked heterocycle or a mercapto group, the other of R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 and R.sub.2 and R.sub.4 are each hydrogen or halogen or optionally substituted organic groups, or one or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together or R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 together may represent the atoms necessary to complete a benzannelated ring, which treatment method comprises treating the dye image with an aqueous solution which comprises a salt of a transition (b-sub group) metal, the concentration of the metal ion in the aqueous solution being at least 10.sup.-4 M.