This invention relates to packaged photographic film that is capable of being alternately processed, according to individual consumer choice, by either (1) a traditional wet-chemistry process with a phenylenediamine-containing developer solution followed by desilvering in one or more subsequent solutions to obtain a color negative film, or (2) a thermal process involving the use of a relatively minor amount of an aqueous solution containing a liberating agent such as alkaline base to activate (unblock) a blocked phenylenediamine developing agent located within the photographic element, followed by electronic scanning of the developed film without desilvering. This invention enables a single film stock to be developed in both a conventional deep tank process and in an apparently dry process.