A method for forming a color image, which comprises imagewise exposing a multi-layer silver halide color photographic material comprising a reflective support having provided thereon at least three silver halide emulsion layers different in color sensitivity, each of which separately contains at least one of couplers represented by formula (I) ##STR73## wherein R.sub.1 represents an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a heterocyclic group, an aromatic amino group, or a heterocyclic amino group;
- R.sub.2 represents an aliphatic group;
- R.sub.3 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an aliphatic group, an aliphatic oxy group, or an acylamino group;
- or R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are taken together to form a 5- or 7-membered ring;
- Y.sub.1 represents a halogen atom, or a group capable of being split off upon coupling with an oxidation product of a developing agent;
- and R.sub.1, R.sub.2, or Y.sub.1 may form a polymer including a dimer, and couplers represented by formula (II) ##STR74## wherein R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 each represents an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a heterocyclic group, an aromatic amino group, or a heterocyclic amino group;
- R.sub.6 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an aliphatic group, an aliphatic oxy group, or an acylamino group;
- or R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are taken together to form a 5- or 7-membered ring;
- Y.sub.2 represents a halogen atom, or a group capable of being split off upon coupling with an oxidation product of a developing agent;
- and R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, or Y.sub.2 may form a polymer including a dimer;
- at least one of couplers represented by formula (III) ##STR75## wherein R.sub.7 and R.sub.9 each represents a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group;
- R.sub.8 represents a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic or aromatic acyl group, or an aliphatic or aromatic sulfonyl group;
- Y.sub.3 represents a hydrogen atom, or a group capable of being split off upon coupling with an oxidation product of a developing agent;
- and R.sub.7, R.sub.8, R.sub.9, or Y.sub.3 may form a polymer including a dimer, and couplers represented by formula (IV) ##STR76## wherein R.sub.10 represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent;
- Y.sub.4 represents a halogen atom, or a group capable of being split off upon coupling with an oxidation product of a developing agent;
- Za and Zb each represents a methine group, a substituted methine group, or .dbd.N--;
- or R.sub.10, Za, Zb, or Y.sub.4 may form a polymer including a dimer;
- and at least one of couplers represented by formula (V) ##STR77## wherein Y.sub.5 represents a group capable of being split off upon coupling with an oxidation product of a developing agent;
- and Q represents a substituted or unsubstituted N-phenyl-carbamoyl group;
- or Y.sub.5 or Q may form a polymer including a dimer, and processing the exposed material with a color developing solution [containing substantially no benzyl alcohol] for a period of not more than 2 minutes, wherein said silver halide emulsions each contains silver chlorobromide having a silver chloride content of 90 mol% or more and the color developing solution is free from benzyl alcohol.