Abstract: A method of image formation by silver salt diffusion transfer in which a photosensitive element which contains an imagewise exposed photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer is developed, in the presence of a silver halide solvent, using an alkaline processing composition, in which at least a portion of the unexposed silver halide in the emulsion layer is converted to a transferable silver complex salt, and in which at least a portion of the silver complex salt is transferred into a silver precipitant containing image forming layer to form an image in the image receiving layer wherein a hydroxylamine developing agent is included in the processing composition and at least two stabilizing compounds having two different heterocyclic rings which are represented by the general formula (I) indicated below are included in the silver halide emulsion layer: ##STR1## wherein Q represents a group of atoms which is required to form a five or six membered heterocyclic ring, and wherein the heterocyclic ring which is for