A photographic processing composition, containing at least one compound of formula (I) or (II): A.sub.1-X-L-Y-A.sub.2 (I) wherein A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 each are a specific aryl or aromatic heterocyclic group; L is a specific arylene or divalent aromatic heterocyclic group; X and Y each are a specific divalent group; the compound of (I) contains at least two of --SO.sub.3M or --CO.sub.2M, but not contains --N.dbd.N-- or --SH; M is a hydrogen, alkali or alkali earth metal, ammonium, or pyridinium; ##STR00001## wherein A.sub.11 is a specific tri- or tetra-valent aromatic hydrocarbon or aromatic heterocyclic group; A.sub.12 is an aryl or aromatic heterocyclic group; X.sub.1 is a divalent group; M.sub.1 is a hydrogen, alkali or alkali earth metal, ammonium, or pyridinium; the molecule of (II) does not contain --N.dbd.N-- or --SH; n is 3 or 4; r and s each are 0 to 10, (r+s) is 2 or more.