Process for forming direct positive color image

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It was found that the above-described objects of this invention could be effectively achieved by the following process: that is, "A process for forming direct positive color image comprising imagewise exposing a photosensitive material containing at least one emulsion layer of silver halide of internal latent image type, which has not been preliminarily fogged, and a color image-forming coupler, developing said exposed material using a surface developing solution containing an aromatic primary amine color developing agent, in the presence of a nucleating agent and/or in the condition that fogging exposure in carried out prior to the developing step or during the developing step; bleaching and fixing said developed material, wherein said color coupler is a compound which is in itself substantially nondiffusible, and moreover, capable of forming or releasing a substantially nondiffusible dye upon oxidative coupling with said aromatic primary amine color developing agent, and said development processing is carried out at a pH of 11.
5 or less using a developing solution containing substantially no benzyl alcohol in the presence of at least one compound (i.
e.
, nucleation promoter) selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by the later described general formula I.
" Herein the expression "substantially no benzyl alcohol" means that benzyl alcohol is contained in an amount of 2 ml or less, or preferably 0.
5 ml or less per liter of the developing solution, or more preferably, it is not contained entirely.
The expression "substantially nondiffusible dye" means that dye is nondiffusible or diffusible in a degree not to effect on photographic performances.
Further, the term "a nucleating agent" means a substance which functions to form a direct positive image when an emulsion of silver halide of internal latent image type which has not been preliminarily fogged, is subjected to surface development processing.
Also, the term "a nucleation promoter" means a substance, which is in itself substantially incapable of functioning as the above-described nucleating agent, but can act as a promoter of the action of a nucleating agent by hightening the maximum density of a positive image and/or by quickening the time of development required for a direct positive image to each a definite density