A carrier for electrophotography has carrier particles. Each carrier particle has a carrier core and a silicone resin coat layer that covers the carrier core. The carrier particle has silicon atoms and carrier atoms on its surface in the ratio that satisfies the condition of Si/C=0.1 to 2.0 as the number of atoms present on the carrier particle surface as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and from 0.1% by number to 5% by number of metal atoms are present on the carrier particle surface. Additionally, there is a two-component developer for developing electrostatic images which consists of a toner and the carrier. An image forming method in which the two-component developer having the toner and the carrier is transported to a developing zone which is defined by a latent image carried on a latent image bearing member to develop the latent image. A voltage is applied to the developer to direct the toner from the latent image bearing member to a member carrying the developer. A second voltage directs the toner from the developer toward the latent image and a third voltage developer the latent image using the toner of the two-component developer.