A reducer containing a ferric chelate compound of an amino compound and further containing an reduction accelerator and/or a complex-forming agent and a dye. ##STR1## wherein A.sub.41, A.sub.42 and A.sub.43 each individually represents a carboxyl group, a phosphono group, a sulfo group or a hydroxyl group; L.sub.41 and L.sub.42 each individually represents a divalent coupling group containing an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a heterocyclic group or combinations thereof; R.sub.41 represents a substituent; and a represents 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4. The reducer is superior in the rate of reduction, reducibility and reduction working properties and so stable that no precipitate will separate out with time. Also disclosed is a silver image reducing method wherein a silver image formed by exposing and developing a silver halide photosensitive material is reduced in the presence of the above-described reducer. The reducer and the reducing method are suitable for application to high-contrast photosensitive materials.