US3775124A

US3775124A - Stabilizing method and composition for color photographic processing

Info

Publication number: US3775124A
Application number: US00262896A
Authority: US
Inventors: K Shirasu; M Ozawa; Y Ogawa
Original assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd
Current assignee: Fujifilm Holdings Corp
Priority date: 1971-06-14
Filing date: 1972-06-14
Publication date: 1973-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 1990-11-27
Also published as: GB1352481A; DE2229057A1

Abstract

A stable processing solution for improving the stability of color images of color photographic materials is disclosed. The processing solution contains pyrogallol-1,3-dimethyl ether.

Description

United States Patent [191 Shirasu et al.

[451 Nov. 27, 1973 STABILIZING METHOD AND COMPOSITION FOR COLOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSING [75] Inventors: Kazuo Shirasu; Mitsuo Ozawa;

Yasuhisa Ogawa, all of Kanagawa, Japan [73] Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.,

Kanagawa, Japan [22] Filed: June 14, I972 [21] Appl. No.: 262,896

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 14, 1971 Japan 46/42385 [52] US. Cl 96/56, 96/61, 96/66.4, 96/109 [5 1] Int. Cl G03c 7/00 3,457,079 7/1969 Koda et al. 96/109 Primary Examiner-Norman G. Torchin Assistant Examiner-Richard L. Schilling AttorneyRichard C. Sughrue et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A stable processing solution for improving the stability of color images of color photographic materials is disclosed. The processing solution contains pyrogallol- 1,3-dimethyl ether.

8 Claims, No Drawings BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention v This invention relates to a processing composition for improving the stability of images of color photographic materials and having improved stability of itself.

More particularly, the invention relates to a stabilized processing composition containing pyrogallol-l ,3- dimethyl ether for improving the stability of color images of color photographic materials by processing the color photographic materials having the color images with the composition.

2. Description of the Prior Art In general, it is well known that color photographs having color images of dyes such as indophenol, indamine, indoaniline, and azomethine formed from an aromatic amine developer and couplers are inferior in light fastness. It is also known that the light fastness of those color photographs-can be increased using the following methods;

1. A compound absorbing ultraviolet light can be incorporated in the color photographic materials (See, e.g., the specifications of U.S. Pat. Nos 2,632,701 and 2,747,996).

2. A reducing agent or an antioxidant can be incorporated in the color photographic materials (See, e.g., the specifications of U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,384,658 and 3,095,302).

For incorporating those compounds in the color photographic materials, they can b'e preliminary incorporated in the emulsion layers of the color photographic materials or they can be introduced into the emulsion layers of the color photographic materials during 'processing of the materials. Those methods may be alternatively employed depending upon the nature of each compound to be incorporated or the characteristics of the photographic sensitive materials.

A color photographic sensitive material is generally subjected to'a series of the followin'gprocessing'steps: For example, to the steps of color development, stop fixing, water washing, bleaching, water washing, hardening fixing, water washing, and stabilization as described in The British Journal of Photography, September 27, 838( 1968); to the steps ofprebath processing, rinsing, color development, fixing, water washing, bleaching, water washing, fixing, water washing, and stabilization as described in Journal of the S.M. P. T. E., Vol. 61, No. 12, 667(1963); or to the steps of color development, blixing, water washing, and stabilization as described'in-thespecification of German Pat. No. 1,928,554.

It is known to use a processing bath containing a compound having a hydroxyl group,an amino group, or a substituted amino group for improving thestability of color images in the color photographic processes referred to above (See, e.g., the specification ofU.S. Pat. No. 2,384,658). However, the colorphotographic material processed by a bath containing hydroquinone or a derivative thereof as-describedin the German Patent specification has the-disadvantage thatmarkedly brown stains form on thenon image-bearing portions of 'the color photographic materialby light exposure although the light fastness of the magenta dye itself may be improved. Also, when a color photographic material is processed with abath containing ascorbic acid as described in the above German Patent specification, the light fastness of the magenta dye itself may be improved as in the above case, but the color photographic material processed suffers the formation of brown stains and further the cyan density is reduced greatly.

Similarly, it is known that gallic acid improves the stability of images (See, e.g., the specification of U.S.

'Pat. No. 3,069,262). However, in addition to the fact that the effect of the compound for improving the light fastness of the magenta dye is slight as compared with the compound previously referred to, brown stains form greatly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As the result of the inventors various investigations for improving these disadvantages, it has been discovered that by processing a color photographic material subjected to conventional processings in an aqueous solution containing pyrogallol-l,3-dimethyl ether, the light fastness of not only the magenta dye but also the yellow dye is remarkably improved without being accompanied by the formation of brown stains at the nonimage bearing portions by light exposure. Moreover, it has also been discovered that by processing with the compound in this invention, the discoloration and fading of the cyan dye due to heat and also the fading of the yellow dye due to humidity are prevented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is, therefore, to provide a processing composition for preventing the color images of color photographic material from being faded by the actions of light, humidity, or heat.

Another object of thisinvention is to provide a color photographic material such as a color film, a color transparency, and a color print stable to light or heat by processing the color photographic material with a stabilizing bath containing a specific compound.

Furthermore, the compound in the-present invention can be effectively used in an aqueous solution containing at least one of urea, guanidine, and-water-soluble derivatives of these materials asdescribed in the specification of U.S. Application Ser. No. 1 10,291, filed Jan. 27, 1971, and dior tri-hydroxybenzene or derivative thereof. Still further, the compound of this invention can be effectively used together with a phenolic compound describedin'the specification of U.S. application Ser. No. 182,558, filed Sept. 21, 1971.

It is generally known that when photographic sensitive materials and processing solutions are placed under certain condi-tions, microorganisms grow therein. Since in the former case the microorganisms grow mainly in'the protective colloid such as gelatin of the photographic sensitive material, the image portions are attacked by such microorganisms. That is to say, red or purple spot-like foreign substances are formed in an early period and when the spots grow, the image portions become unobservable and finally are bleached. Such a disadvantage is quite undesirable from the standpoint of the preservation'of photosensitive materials. In the latter case, colloid foreign substances are formed in the processing. solutions and they emit bad smells. As this condition progresses, the intensity of the'bad smell increases and the processing solutionslose their desired properties.

It isknown that the growth of the microorganisms as previously indicated is observed when photographic sensitive materials are stored under such high temperature and high humidity conditions as are suitable for the growth thereof, for instance at temperatures of 3040 C and relative humidities of 7090% RH. As a means for preventing the growth of microorganisms in photographic sensitive materials, a pentachlorophenol (sodium salt) containing bath and an Ansco 955 stabilization rinse bath as shown in Photographic Science and Engineering, Vol. 3, No. 3, (1959) are known. Also, it it known that a hydantoin derivative prevents the growth of microorganisms in photographic sensitive materials as described in, e.g., the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 2,762,768.

However, although those compound referred to above may be effective for preventing the growth of microorganisms in photographic sensitive materials, they are hardly or less effective for processing compositions of solutions when they are incorporated in the processing compositions or solutions.

On the other hand, it is also known that when a processing composition for photographic materials is preserved for a long period of time at high temperatures of, e.g., 45C., microorganisms grow in the processing composition. As a method of preventing such a growth of microorganisms in the processing composition, it is known to incorporate therein a nitroalcohol derivative as described in the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 3,542,553. However, the incorporation of the nitroalcohol derivative in a processing-composition for photographic sensitive materials may be effective for preventing the growth of microorganisms in the processing composition but is hardly effective for preventing the growth of microorganisms in the photographic materials processed in such a processing composition containing the derivative. Furthermore, the photographic sensitive materials processed in a bath containing thenitroalcohol derivative also suffer the formation of brown stains clue to the action of light or heat.

The inventors have also investigated various compounds which are effective for preventing the growth of microorganisms in processing compositions and simultaneously in photographic materials processed by the compounds without adverse influences on either of them, and as the results thereof it has been discovered that the above purpose also can be attained by using pyrogallol- 1 ,3-dimethyl ether.

Another object of this invention is, therefore, to 'provide a means to prevent the growth of microorganisms in a processing composition for photographic sensitive materials unaccompanied by adverse influences on the function of the processing composition and at the same time to prevent also the growth of microorganisms in the photographic sensitive materials processed by the composition without giving rise to any adverse influences on the photographic sensitive materials.

The advantages of using the processing composition of this invention containing pyrogallol-1,3-dimethyl ether are as indicated below.

1. The light fastness of the yellow dye of a color photographic material to various lights is improved by processing the color photographic material with the processing composition.

2. The light fastness of the magenta dye of a color photographic material to various lights is improved.

3. The processing of a color photographic sensitive material with the processing composition prevents the discoloring and fading of the cyan dye thereof due to the action of heat and also the formation of color stains therein due to the action of heat.

4. The processing of a color photographic sensitive material with the processing composition prevents the fading of the yellow dye thereof due to the action of humidity. 5. Microorganisms do not grow in the processing composition.

6. The processing of photographic sensitive material prevents the growth of microorganisms in the photographic sensitive material.

It is preferable to use the compound of this invention together with dior polyethylene glycol because in such a case the rate of dissolution of the compound in water can be increased.

A suitable amount of pyrogallol-l,3-dimethyl ether which can be used in the processing composition of this invention generally ranges from 0.1 to 10 g/liter preferably from about 1 to 3 g/liter. The present invention can be used instead of the processing bath described in The British Journal of Photography, September 27, 839( 1968), the process bath described in Journal of the S. M. P. T. E. Vol. 61, No. 12, 682( 1963), and the processing composition described in the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 3,582,322 without any limitations but the compound of this invention is more effectively used when incorporated in a stabilization bath. Furthermore, the compound of this invention is more effectively incorporated in the stabilization bath described in the specification of U.S. application Ser. No. 21,184, filed Mar. 19, 1970.

Now, suitable examples of the photosensitive materials which can be processed effectively by the processing composition of this invention are color photographic sensitive materials containing the acetanilde yellow couplers described in the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 3,551,156, the pyrazolone magenta couplers described in the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 3,558,319, or the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 3,337,344, and the phenolic couplers described in the specifications of U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,423,703 and 2,474,293 but the photographic sensitive materials to be processed by the processing composition of this invention are not limited to only the above-described color photographic sensitive materials.

Furthermore, the processing composition of this invention can be more effectively applied to the photographic sensitive materials containing a ultraviolet absorbent as described in, e.g., the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 3,352,681 and the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 3,253,921.

Typical experimental results on the stability of the images of the photographic sensitive materials processed by the processing bath of this invention and typical experimental results on the preservative property of the processing composition of this invention will be described by reference to the following examples but the invention is not to be interpreted as limited to these examples.

N-Ethyl-N-B-(methanesulfonamidoethylp-phenylencdiaminc) 8.0g Water added to make 1 liter Stop Fixing Solution (pH 4.5) Ammonium Thiosulfate 120.0 g Sodium Pyrosulfite 20.0 g Glacial Acetic Acid 10.0 g Water added to make 1 liter Bleaching Solution (pH 7.2) Potassium Nitrate 25.0 g Ferricyanide 20.0 g Potassium Bromide 8.0 g

Boric Acid 5.0 g

V Borax 2.5 g Water added to make 1 liter Hardening Fixing Solution (pl-1 9.5) Ammonium Thiosulfate 120.0 g Sodium Sulfite 5.0 g Formalin (35 40%) 2.5 g Water added to make 1 liter A color photographic paper prepared by applying succesively to a baryta-coated paper a blue-sensitive silver iodobromide emulsion layer containing a yellow coupler, benzoylaceto-2-chloro-5-dedecyloxycarbonyl anilide, an intermediate gelatin layer, a green-sensitive silver chlorobromide emulsion layer containing a magenta coupler, 1-phenyl-3-[3-(N butylcaprylamidopropionamido)]-5-pyrazolone, an intermediate gelatin layer, a red-sensitive silver silver chlorobromide emulsion layer containing a cyan coupler, 1-hydroxy-2[3- (2,4-t-amylphenoxy)propyllnaphthamide, and a protective gelatin layer in this order was subjected to the following processings successively-at 30C using the processing solutions having the above-indicated compositions. I 7

That is to say, the color photographic paper was, after imagewise exposure, subjected to a color development for 7 minutes, a stop fixing for 2 minutes, a water washing for 2 minutes, a bleaching for 2 minutes, a water washing for 2 minutes, a hardening fixing for 2 minutes, and then a water washing for 4 minutes.

Thereafter, the color photographic paper thus processed was further processed for 2 minutes at 300C in one of the processing baths A-F having the compositions shown in the following table.

Bath

Compound A B C D Tartaric acid, g Zinc sulfate, g- Sodium metaborate, Pyrogallol-l, 3-dimethy Methoxy hydroquinoue, g

rea, g 30.0 Hydroriuinone, g. 2.0 Pyroga 101, g 3.0 Gallic acid, g 3.0

Water added to make 1 liter in all cases. pH 5. 0 5. 0 5. 0 5. 0 5. 0 5. 0

The samples processed in the above processing bath were tested with respect to the stability of the image by exposing them to a fluorescent lamp of 10,000 lux. The faded percentage after an exposure of 10 days is shown in the following table.

Faded Percentage* Also, the color photographic papers processed in the above-indicated processing baths were tested with respect to the stability of the image by exposing them directly to sun light. The faded percentage of the color images after an exposure of 12 days is shown in the following table.

Faded Percentage* The faded percentage* is the ratio of the color density of the portion having an initial color density of 1.0 reduced during the test. The ADy is the density increase of the non-exposed-portions expressed by the density of yellow component.

The experimental results show clearly the following: 1. The processing bath C containing a known compound similar to the compound in the present invention had the effect of prevent-ing the fading of the magenta image by light in comparison with the conventional processing bath A but was ineffective as to yellow images and additionally was accompanied by the formation of a great amount of brown strains. Also, the processing bath D showed no fading preventing effect of the color images and further showed a great increase in the formation of brown stains.

2. The processing bath B of this invention showed a remarkable fading prevention effect of the magenta images due to light and a remarkable fading preventing efiect of yellow images by light. Also, in this caese, no increase of strains due to light exposure was observed.

3. The processing baths E and F containing the compound in the present invention and the above-indicated known compounds were more effective than the processing bath B.

Then, the samples processed in the processing baths shown above were stored for- 7 days at 76.7C and under a low humidity. in this case the ratio of the color density of the portion having an initial color density of 1.0 reduced during the test and the density (ADy) of the stain increase at the non-exposed portions is shown in the following table.

Faded Percentage Processing Bath Yellow Magneta Cyan ADy A a 0 2% 15% +0.06 B 0 1% 8% +0.06 C 0 2% l 4% +0. 1 2 D 0 2% l 5% H). 13 E 0 2% 8% +0.06 F 0 5% 7% +0.05

Furthermore, the samples processed above were also stored for 14 days at 40C under a relative humidity of RH and the results obtained are shown in the following table.

Faded Percentage Processing Bath Yellow Magneta Cyan ADy A l 1% 2% 3% +0.03 B 5% 2% 2% +0.02 C 10% 1% 3% +0.04 D 1 1% 2% 3% +0.04 E 5%2% 2% +0.03

EXAMPLE 2 A color photographic positive film prepared by applying to cellulose acetate film a blue-sensitive silver iodobromide emulsion layer containing a yellow coupler, an intermediate gelatin layer, a red-sensitive silver chlorobromide emulsion layer containing a cyan coupler, an intermediate gelatin layer, a green-sensitive silver chlorobromide emulsion layer containing a magenta coupler, and a intermediate gelatin layer successively in this order was subjected to the following processings at 21C. The couplers used in the color positive film were same as those used in Example 1.

The color positive film was, after image-wise exposure, subjected to-the steps of pre-treatment for seconds, rinse for seconds, development for 12 minutes, rinse for 15 seconds, fixing for 4 minutes, water washing for 4 minutes, bleaching for 8 minutes, fixing for 4 minutes, and water washing for 8 minutes.

The compositions of the processing solution used in the above processings were as follows.

Developing Solution (pH 10.65)

Calgon* 2.0 g ti (produced by (Calgon, lnc.)

Sodium Sulfite 4.0 g N,N-Diethyl-ppheny- 3.0 g lenediamine Hydrochloride Sodium Carbonate Monohydrate 20.0 g Potassium Bromide 2.0 g Water added to make 1 liter Trade name of sodium polymetaphosphate, (NaPO comprising 321% by weight Na O, 66.8% by weight P,O,,0.2% by weight Na SO and 0.1by weight NaCl.

The pre-treatment bath contained sodium hydroxide, the fixing bath contained sodium thiosulfate, and the bleaching bath contained potassium bichromate.

Thereafter, the color photographic film thus processed was further processed for 2 minutes in a processing bath containing the compound shown in the following table and dried.

Processing Bath Compound in the Bath Amount G Pyrogal1ol-1,3-dimethyl 2g/1iter ether H Pyrogallol 2 g/liter 1 Hydroquinone 2 g/liter .l Gallic Acid 2 g/litcr K 2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic 2 g/liter Acid L Ascorbic Acid 2 glliter Fading Percentage Processing Bath Yellow Magenta Cyan ADy G 9% 8% 12% +0.06 H 20% 13% +0.12

1 19% 17% 12% +0.10 .1 20% 13% +0.12 K 20% 28 13% +0.1 1 L 20% 22% 15% +0.25 L 20% 22% 15% +0.05 None 20% 30% 13% +0.05

From the experimental results shown above, it is clear that the processing baths H, l, and L each containing the known compound had a fading prevention effect of magenta images due to light but were ineffective for the fading prevention of yellow images and further in this case the formation of color stains increased remarkably. Further, the processing baths .1 and K showed almost no fading prevention effect to color images and also in these cases a remarkable increase of brown stains was observed.

On the other hand, the processing bath G of the present invention showed a remarkable fading prevention effect of magenta images due to light and also a remarkable fading prevention effect of yellow images due to light and also in this case the increase of the formation of clor stains due to the action of light was hardly increased.

Furthermore, when the samples were processed in each of the processing solutions shown above for 7 days at 76.7C under a low humidity condition or for 14 days at 40C under a relative humidity of percent, it was confirmed that the sample processed using the processing solution of this invention had a cyan image stable to heat and also yellow image stable to humidity. On the other hand. when the processing baths containing conventional compounds were used, the stability of the color images of the color photographic film was not improved and further remarkable brown stains formed.

Also, when the same procedure as above was conducted using a color photographic paper in place of the color positive film, almost the same results were obtained.

EXAMPLE 3 A color photographic paper prepared in the same way as described in Example 1 was subjected to the following processing steps as 295C.

The color photographic paper was, after image-wise exposure, subjected to the steps of development for 6 minutes, blixing for 2 minutes, and water washing for 4 minutes in this order. The composition of the developing solution used above was the same as that of the developing solution used in Example 1, while the blixing solution had the following composition:

Ethylenediamine Tetraacetic Acid lron Salt 45 g Ammonium Thiocyanate 10 g Sodium Sulfite 10 g Ammonium Thiosulfate (60%) ml Ethylenediamine Tetraacetic Acid 4-Sodium Salt Water added to make 1 liter Thereafter the sample thus processed was further processed for 2 minutes in each of the processing baths having the compositions shown in the following table, rinsed for 15 seconds, and then dried.

Compound Potassium alum, g Sodium citrate, g... Boric acid, g Sodium metaborate, g P rogallol-l, 3-dlmethyl other, g ethoxy hydroqulnone, g rea, g Hydro uinone, g Pyroga 101, g Gallic acid, g.

cases. 35 3 3.5 3.5 3.6

The samples processed in each of the processing baths were exposed to a fluorescent lamp of 10,000 lux for 10 days.

The ratio of the color density of the portion having an initial co'lor density of 1.0 reduced during the test and the density of the s tain increase at the unexposed portions in this case are shown in the following table.

Faded Percentage Processing Bath Yellow Magenta Cyan ADy M 30% 40% 10% +0.02 N 16% 13% 10% +0.02 3 1% 27% 10% +0. 1 l p 30% 40% 10% +0.12 0 l 5% 9% 10% +0.03 R l 2% 10% 10 +0.01

From these experimental results, it is clear that the processing bath 0 containing the conventional compound similar to the compound of this invention gave afading prevention effect of magenta images due to light in comparison with the conventional processing bath M but it was ineffective for the facing prevention of yellow images and further in the case of processing in the processing bath 0, a remarkable increase of the formation of brown stains was observed. Furthermore, the conventional processing bath P gave no fading prevention effect to color images and in this case, a remarkable increase in the formation of yellow stains was observed. On the other hand, the processing bath N of this invention showed a more remarkable fading prevention effect of the magenta images due" to light and a remarkable fading prevention effect of the yellow images due to light. In this case, an increase of color stains was hardly observed. Moreover, the processing baths Q and R each containing the compound of this invention together with the conventional compound were found to be more effective than the processing bath N.

On the other hand, when the samples processed in each of the above-described processing baths were stored for 7 days at 76.7C. u nder a low humidity condition or for 14 days at 40C under a relative humidity of 90% RH, the sample processed in the processing bath of this invention showed an improved stability of the cyan images to heat and also an improved stability of the yellow images to humidity. On the other hand, when the processing bath containing the conventional compound was employed, the stability of the color images of the samples was not improved and further remarkable color stains formed.

EXAMPLE 4 Processing Bath Compound in the Bath Amount S Monomethylol Hydantion 0.2 g/liter T Pentachlorophenol Sodium salt 1.0 g/liter U 2-Nitro-l,3-propanediol 0.l g/litcr V pyrogallol-l,3 1.0 g/liter Ether When each sample thus processed in the above processing bath was stored at 25C and a relative humidity of RH, the condition of microorganism growth in the sample was observed, the results of which are .shown in the following table.

Days: Bath 7days 14 days 2 1 days 28 days 56 days S 0 O O 30 4-H- T 0 0 0 -H-+ U 0 0 4+? V 0 0 0 0 0 None 0 +ll-H -H-0 In the above table, (0) means that no microorganism g'rawmwas obserbed means that microorganisms grew slightly (l-2 spots); (-H) means that microorganisms grew considerably (5-6 spots); and (lll-) means that microorganisms grew throughout the entire surface of the sample.

As is clear from the results shown in above table, in the conventional processing bath, microorganisms grew to a great extent when the sample was stored for 21-28 days, while in the sample processed in the processing bath of the present invention, the growth of microorganisms was not observed even when the sample was stored for 56 days.

The microorganisms which grew in the experiment were red-purple molds and as the growth of the microorganisms in the comparison cases, gelatin as the protective colloid was attacked to damage the images.

EXAMPLE 5 Each of the processing baths W-Z having the following composition and the processing baths A-F shown in Example 1 was subjected to a running test for 56 days at a rate of 5 hours/day while supplying a fresh solution at a rate of 66 ml/0.89 m

tb Bath: Compound Tartaroc Acid Zinc

Sulfate Sodium Metaborate Monomethylol Hydantoin Pentachlorophenol Sodium 2-Nitrol 3-propanediol Pyrogallol-l 3-dimethyl Ethc r Z 10.00 l0.0g l0.0g

20.0g 20.0g 20.0,; 20.0g

Water added to make -1 liter in all the cases.

The state of the growth of microorganisms was observed for each processing bath. The results obtained are shown in the following table.

ath 21 days 30 -H- 28 days 56 days 30 -H- 0 0 -H- H 4+ 0 0 0 0 +Hn -H- 0 0 and X after running the test for 2 weeks. Because the growth of microorganisms was observed in the conventional processing bath Y after running the test for three weeks, the processing bath demonstrated some effect for preventing the growth of microorganisms but such an effect was insufficient in the running test of a long period of time. On the other hand, no growth of microorganisms was observed in the processing bath of this invention even after running the test for 56 days.

The microorganisms which grew in the conventional processing baths during the experiments were black colloidal substances emitting a bitter putrid smell.

The same results were obtained for the processing baths G, N, Q, and R of the present invention. Furthermore, when the compound in the present invention was incorporated in the developing solution, the fixing solution, the bleaching solution or the blixing solution referred to above, the growth of microorganisms in the processing solution was considerably prevented.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of stabilizing a silver halide color photographic material in the development of said material forming color images comprising processing said material in a color photographic processing composition containing pyrogallol-l ,3-dimethyl ether.

2. The method .of stabilizing the color photographic material according to claim 1, wherein said pyrogallol- 1,3-dimethyl ether in said processing composition ranges from about 0.1 to IOg/liter.

3. The method of stabilizing the color photographic material according to claim 1, wherein said color photographic processing composition is an aqueous stabilization solution.

4. The method of stabilizing the color photographic material of claim 1, wherein said processing is after said forming of said color images.

5. The method of stabilizing the color photographic material of claim 1, wherein said processing is prior to said forming of said color images.

6. The method of stabilizing the color photographic material according to claim 1, wherein said color photographic processing composition additionally contains diethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol or mixtures thereof.

7. A stabilized silver halide color photographic material processed in a processing composition according to the method of claim 1.

8. A silver halide color photographic processing and stabilizing composition containing pyrogallol-1,3- dimethyl ether and at least one member selected from the group consisting of urea, a water-soluble derivative of urea, guanidine, a water-solution derivative of guanidine, dihydroxybenzene, a derivative of dihydroxybenzene, trihydroxybenzne, a derivative of trihydroxybenzene, and a phenolic compound.

Claims

2. The method of stabilizing the color photographic material according to claim 1, wherein said pyrogallol-1,3-dimethyl ether in said processing composition ranges from about 0.1 to 10g/liter.
3. The method of stabilizing the color photographic material according to claim 1, wherein said color photographic processing composition is an aqueous stabilization solution.
4. The method of stabilizing the color photographic material of claim 1, wherein said processing is after said forming of said color images.
5. The method of stabilizing the color photographic material of claim 1, wherein said processing is prior to said forming of said color images.
6. The method of stabilizing the color photographic material according to claim 1, wherein said color photographic processing composition additionally contains diethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol or mixtures thereof.
7. A stabilized silver halide color photographic material processed in a processing composition according to the method of claim 1.
8. A silver halide color photographic processing and stabilizing composition containing pyrogallol-1,3-dimethyl ether and at least one member selected from the group consisting of urea, a water-soluble derivative of urea, guanidine, a water-solution derivative of guanidine, dihydroxybenzene, a derivative of dihydroxybenzene, trihydroxybenzne, a derivative of trihydroxybenzene, and a phenolic compound.