PURPOSE: To obtain a preventive against the degradation of a latent image with little sensitivity reduction used in a photographic emulsion layer, especially in a color emulsion layer.

CONSTITUTION: This purpose is attained by adding a pyrogallol deriv. represented by general formulaI, concretely by formula II orIII to a photosensitive silver halide material. In a comparative test of the compound of formula II or III added to the blue or green sensitive emulsion layer of a multilayer color sensitive material, the added compound has shown a remarkable effect as a preventive against the degradation of a latent image.