Photographic element having polymer particles covalently bonded to gelatin

A photographic element comprising a support having thereon a gelatin-containing layer, and a matting agent comprising polymer particles covalently bonded to the gelatin in the layer. The polymer particles may be individually covered with gelatin that is covalently bonded thereto and the gelatin that is covalently bonded to the particles may be cross-linked with the gelatin in the layer. There is also provided a process of preparing a photographic element comprising a matting agent and a layer comprising gelatin. In this process, the gelatin layer is coated onto a support, at least partially dried, and polymer particles are applied to the layer. The polymer particles are then covalently bonded to the gelatin in the layer.