Abstract: A high contrast photographic material comprises a support bearing a silver halide emulsion layer, containing in the emulsion layer or in an adjacent hydrophilic layer, a hydrazide nucleating agent characterized in that the emulsion layer contains silver halide grains of octahedral character which are spectrally sensitized and silver halide grains which are not octahedral in character eg cubic. Preferably only the grains which are octahedral in character are spectrally sensitized. Preferably the emulsion layer or an adjacent hydrophilic colloid layer contains a booster compound eg an amine rendering the material developable in a developer solution having a pH below 11. Preferably both types of grain are chemically sensitized. The use of tabular grains as causer emulsions enhances the absorption characteristics of the dyes so that as well as providing high photographic sensitivity the dye peaks are broadened.

Abstract: A high-contrast photographic element, adapted for use in the field of graphic arts, includes a hydrazide nucleator and an amine booster and comprises a silver halide emulsion layer which is capable of forming a latent image under conditions of use and a second silver halide emulsion layer which is not capable of forming a latent image under conditions of use.