A method for forming an image is disclosed. The method comprises the step of developing an imagewise exposed silver halide photographic material which contains a redox compound, with a developer which contains a silver halide developing agent and at least 0.1 mol/l of a sulfite and has a pH of 9 to 12, wherein the redox compound contains a redox group which is a hydrazine derivative which is capable of releasing a development inhibitor as a result of oxidation with the oxidized developer, and wherein after said oxidation, at least a portion of the development inhibitor is released into a developer where it reacts with a developer component and changes into a compound having little inhibiting effect. A silver halide photographic material used in that method is also disclosed.