Method of image formation by silver salt diffusion transfer

A method of image formation comprising developing a photosensitive element comprising an image-wise exposed photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer using an alkaline processing element containing a silver halide solvent to convert at least a part of the unexposed silver halide in the emulsion layer to a transferrable silver complex salt, and transferring at least a portion of the silver complex salt onto an image-receiving element comprising an image-receiving layer containing silver precipitation nuclei to form an image in the image-receiving element, wherein the silver halide grains in the photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer comprise silver iodobromide or silver chloroiodobromide having an average silver iodide content of from 0.5 to 3.5 mol %;

• and wherein silver bromide or silver iodobromide having a silver iodide content of not higher than 10 mol % is formed after chemical sensitization on the surface of the grains in an amount of from 3 to 20% by weight in terms of silver, and the alkaline processing element contains a hydroxylamine developing agent.