Eastman-Kodak Company

Susan C Gross, Deceased

Ignazio S Ponticello

Glenn T Pearce

Michael R Roberts

George Villard

Elizabeth V Patton

Marjorie M Datskow, Executrix

This invention provides a photographic element containing a polymer layer which reflects a development inhibitor or its precursor released from a DIR compound thereby retarding the diffusion of the development inhibitor to another layer. The polymers used in the barrier layer contain from about 1.times.10.sup.-5 to about 4.times.10.sup.-3 ion forming functional groups. The preferred polymers comprise repeating units of the formula --(A).sub.m -(B).sub.n -- with A derived from a hydrophobic monomer and B derived from an ionic hydrophilic monomer with the more preferred monomers being acrylates, methacrylates, acrylamides and methacrylamides. The invention also provides a method of processing a photographic element containing such a barrier layer.

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Rochester, NY, United States of America

Susan C Gross, Deceased