DIR coupler that forms colorless reaction product

A process for developing an imagewise exposed light-sensitive silver halide photographic material comprising a compound forming a substantially colourless compound and releasing a development inhibitor by reacting with an oxidation product of a colour developing agent and having the following formula:

• ##STR11## wherein A represents an oxygen atom or a =NR.sub.1 radical in which R.sub.1 is a hydroxyl or an amino radical that may be substituted, Z represents a non-metallic atomic group necessary to complete a 5-, 6- or 7-membered alicyclic ring or a heterocyclic ring containing nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, X represents a halogen atom, ##STR12## or -S-Y in which W represents an alkyl, aryl, heterocyclic ring, acyl or -SO.sub.2 R.sub.2 radical wherein R.sub.2 represents an alkyl, aryl or a heterocyclic ring radical, and V represents a non-metallic atomic group necessary to complete a heterocyclic ring containing nitrogen and Y represents a radical that forms a compound having development inhibiting action together with the sulfur atom when the --SY bond of the thioether is split which process comprises developing the exposed material with an alkaline developer containing a colour developing agent.