A silver halide photographic material comprising a hydrophilic colloidal layer structure including at least two silver halide emulsion layers provided on at least one common side of a transparent support, wherein the average content of iridium compound per unit mol of silver in the silver halide emulsion layer on the side nearer to the support is greater than that of the silver halide emulsion layer located further from the support, and, characterized by at least one of (1) when exposed to laser light having a wavelength of 600 to 850 nm, the maximum value of .gamma. on the characteristic curve of optical density versus exposure (logarithm) is not more than 3.2; or (2) the average grain size of the grains in the silver halide emulsion layer located further from the support is greater than that of the grains in the silver halide emulsion layer located nearer to the support. Further, a process for the processing of a silver halide photographic material is provided, characterized in that the silver halide photographic material as defined above is used wherein the total coated amount of gelatin and silver on the side of the support having the silver halide layers are 3.5 g/m.sup.2 or less and 2.7 g/m.sup.2 or less, respectively, is conveyed at a line speed of 1,500 mm/min and all steps of development, fixing, rinse and drying are completed within 60 seconds in a roller type automatic processor.