This invention contemplates a multilayer, multicolor photographic element comprising a support, a plurality of dye-forming hydrophilic colloid containing silver halide emulsion layers which are spectrally sensitized to different regions of the visible spectrum including at least one blue-sensitive emulsion layer, a green-sensitive emulsion layer, and a red-sensitive emulsion layer. Each of the silver halide emulsion layers includes imaging silver having at least 25 weight percent ultrathin tabular grains having a thickness of less than 0.07 microns. One of the silver halide emulsion layers is a topmost silver halide emulsion layer having a water swell percentage which is greater than any other light-sensitive emulsion layer.