A photographic element comprising a light sensitive silver halide emulsion sensitized with a dye of formula (I) and a nucleating agent or amine booster associated with the silver halide emulsion: ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.3 is an alkyl group, alkenyl group, or aryl groupR.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are each hydrogen, an alkyl group, alkenyl or aryl group;R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are, independently, an alkyl group, alkenyl group, aryl group, or H;the dye has at least three acid or acid salt substituents; andeach L independently represents a methine group;p is 0 or 1;Z.sub.1 represents the atoms necessary to complete a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring group;(X).sub.n represents counterions as needed to balance the charge on the molecule.The present invention also provides a process for forming a high contrast photographic image on a photographic element having a light sensitive silver halide emulsion sensitized with a dye of formula (I). The process comprises developing such a photographic element in the presence of a hydrazine compound and an amine booster.