Color diffusion transfer element with hydroquinone type compound

A color diffusion transfer photographic element, comprising:

• (a) a light sensitive component containing a light sensitive silver halide emulsion layer associated with a dye releasing redox compound;
• (b) a dye image receiving component;
• and (c) an alkaline processing composition component, wherein said component (c) contains a diffusible hydroquinone type compound having a gradation controlling effect on the color diffusion transfer element and having a half wave potential of polarography in the range of from -300 mV to -380 mV measured using a saturated calomel electrode as a reference electrode in a buffer solution having a pH of 13.0 at 25.degree. C., wherein the diffusible hydroquinone type compound is represented by the following general formula (I) ##STR23## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently hydrogen, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, a cycloalkyl group, a cycloalkoxy group, an aryl group, an acylamino group, a diacylamino group, an acyloxy group, a sulfonamido group, or an alkylamino group, and R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 combined contain 0 to 12 carbon atoms.