PURPOSE: To obtain such photographic characteristics as very contrasty negative gradation by developing a silver halide photographic sensitive material in the presence of a specified compd.

CONSTITUTION: A silver halide photographic sensitive material is developed in the presence of a compd. represented by formula I, wherein Ar is aryl, each of R1-R3 is H, alkyl, aralkyl, aryl or a heterocyclic group, R1-R3 are not simultaneously H, R1 and R2 may bond to each other to form a cyclic structure and one of R1-R3 is a substituent having at least one hydroxyl group. A compd. represented by formula I-1 may be used as the compd. represented by the formula I. Such photographic characteristics as very high contrasty negative gradation are obtd.