METHOD OF PROCESSING A SILVER HALIDE COLOR PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL AND A COLOR DEVELOPER

A method for processing a silver halide color photographic material including the step of developing the silver halide color photographic material with a color developing solution containing at least one aromatic primary amine developing agent and at least one hydrazide represented by the following formula (I) or (II) R - X - NHNH - R (I) in which X represents -CO-, -SO2- or - @@-; R represents a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyamino group, carbamoyl group, a hydrazinocarbonyl group, an amino group, or a hydrazino group; and R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or an aryl group; provided that the R or R groups of at least two of the hydrazide groups may be linked to form a dimer or higher polymer of the hydrazide. R - X - NHNH - R (II) in which X represents -CO- or -SO2-; R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, an alkoxy group, or an aryloxy group; and R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an aryl group; provided that the R or R groups of at least two of the hydrazide groups may be linked to form a dimer or higher polymer of the hydrazide. The method provides increased developer stability and reduced fog formation, particularly in continous processing.