Abstract: Potassium iodide (or a related iodide) when incorporated in an alkaline activator for use in a rapid access processor using developer-incorporated, resin-coated paper, (i) produces a cold image tone in black-and-white photographic prints, and (ii) maintains the image tone of a large number of prints within a narrow image tone range over a (one week or one thousand 8.times.10 inch print) design life of the activator solution.

Abstract: A fixing bath and a method of fixing wherein the bath contains an imidazole compound that facilitates the removal of thiosulfate from the film in addition to reducing the presence of stain in the resulting film.

Abstract: Potassium iodide (or a related iodide) when incorporated in an alkaline activator for use in a rapid access processor using developer-incorporated, resin-coated paper, (i) produces a cold image tone in black-and-white photographic prints, and (ii) maintains the image tone of a large number of prints within a narrow image tone range over a (one week or one thousand 8.times.10 inch print) design life of the activator solution.

Abstract: A stain retarding concentration of a phosphine antistain agent or phosphine antistain agent precursor in the undercoat layer of a photographic silver halide element comprising a support having thereon (a) a photographic silver halide gelatino emulsion layer, and (b) an undercoat layer between the emulsion layer and the support, provides reduced stain in the element upon exposure and processing. The photographic element preferably comprises a silver halide developing agent. The photographic element, after exposure, is preferably processed by means of an aqueous alkaline activator bath and then an aqueous thiosulfate stabilizer bath.

Abstract: A photographic element is disclosed having coated on a support a hydrophilic colloid layer containing an activator precursor and loaded polymer particles of from 0.02 to 0.2 micron in average diameter. The polymer particles consist essentially of a hydrophobic polymer of which at least 2 percent by weight is comprised of ionizable repeating units, at least half being cationically ionizable, and a hydrophobic developing agent present in a weight ratio to the polymer of from about 1:4 to 3:1. Silver halide is present in the hydrophilic colloid layer or in an adjacent layer, and the activator precursor is present in a concentration of from 1 to 4 equivalent for each mole of silver halide. The photographic element is capable of being thermally processed.