An electrostatic latent image forming method for forming, on an image carrier, an electrostatic latent image that has a pattern where there are an irradiated area and a not-irradiated area in a mixed manner, the electrostatic latent image forming method comprises; adjusting an exposure condition of an irradiated area that is included in the irradiated area and is adjacent to the not-irradiated area so that an electric field intensity of an electrostatic latent image that corresponds to the not-irradiated area is increased so as to prevent adhesion of a developer, and irradiating the image carrier with light under the adjusted exposure condition.