An image forming method is disclosed which comprises developing a silver halide photographic material with a developing solution containing an aromatic primary amine developing agent in the presence of an imidazo[1,2-b]pyrazole type coupler represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group or an aryl group; R.sub.2 represents an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group or an amino group; R.sub.3 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an aryl group; and X represents a hydrogen atom or a group capable of being released upon coupling with an oxidation product of an aromatic primary amine developing agent.The magenta coupler represented by general formula (I) is excellent in color reproducibility, sensitivity and color density.A silver halide color photographic material containing the magenta coupler is also disclosed.