In a method for color development of a photographic element comprising at least one silver halide emulsion layer by contacting said element with a color developing solution containing a primary aromatic amino color developing agent and a sufficient amount of N,N-diethylhydroxylamine to retard aerial oxidation of said developing solution, said element containing trace amounts of manganese and a sufficient amount of 4,5-dihydroxybenzene-1,3-disulfonic acid to function as a stabilizing addendum, said manganese and said 4,5-hydroxybenzene-1,3-disulfonic acid being leached into said color developing solution during said color development and interacting therein to form a complex which is capable of catalyzing the oxidation of said N,N-diethylhydroxylamine;
- the improvement wherein said color developing solution is protected against said catalyzed oxidation by incorporation therein of an effective amount of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.