Abstract: An improved photographic developing composition, for use in development of a black-and-white silver halide photographic element, is comprised of at least one developing agent and, in an amount sufficient to inhibit sludge deposition, a polyoxyalkylated phosphate ester. The developing composition is broadly useful in black-and-white development but is most advantageously employed in a process for forming a high-contrast image utilizing a silver halide photographic element comprising a hydrazine compound which functions as a nucleating agent and an amino compound which functions as an incorporated booster.