Abstract: An hydroxylamine and a member selected from the group consisting of alkanolamines which are free of carboxyl substitution, aliphatic monoamino monocarboxylic acids of up to three carbon atoms, and aminobenzoic acids, are employed in combination in a photographic color developing composition comprising a primary aromatic amino color developing agent for the purpose of retarding aerial oxidation of the developing agent. This combination can be used to replace all or part of the sulfite that is commonly employed in color developers, to thereby avoid or reduce the disadvantages resulting from the fact that sulfite competes with couplers for oxidized developing agent.