A photographic developing apparatus which visualizes a latent image formed on an image carrier is disclosed which includes:a developing powder carrier provided so as to be opposite to the image carrier;a layer forming member for forming a thin layer of developing powder over a circumferential surface of the developing powder carrier;a charge imparting member which is provided so as to be opposite to the developing powder carrier and causes an electric field between the charge imparting member and the developing powder carrier; andan electrification control member which is interposed between the charge imparting member and the developing powder carrier, and limits an ionization area caused by electric discharge in the electric field by receiving an intermediate electric potential between the electric potential of the charge imparting member and the electric potential of the developing powder carrier.