A photosensitive element which comprises on a support at least one photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer and at least a non-light sensitive layer, wherein the silver halide emulsion layer comprises a chalcogenic compound satisfying formula (1): ##STR1## wherein: X represents Se or Te, forming a double bond with its neighbouring C-atom,Nu represents a nucleophilic group which brings an electron pair in heterolytic bond formation; Nu has a pK.sub.a -value of at least 2.0 if Nu is an acidic group,L represents a divalent linking group representing each group which can position an electron donating atom in any of the 5th to the 8th position vis-a-vis the carbon atom of the carbon-chalcogen double bond,AQB represents the necessary atoms to form a heterocyclic 5- or 6-membered ring, provided that when A is a Nitrogen-atom, B is an atom selected from the group consisting of NR.sup.1, O, S, Se and Te,R.sup.1 can represent a hydrogen, an alkyl group, an acyl-group, an aryl group, an aralkyl group or a heteroaryl group;and a method wherein said chalcogenic compound is used during the step of chemically sensitizing at least one of the said silver halide emulsions at a pH-value situated between 3 and 10, a pAg-value situated between 6 and 11 and a temperature in the range of from 40.degree. C. up to 95.degree. C.