An image forming method is disclosed having a charging step, an exposure step, a developing step and a transfer step. This method uses a toner which includes toner particles containing a binder resin and a colorant, and inorganic fine powder, and uses a photosensitive member which has on its surface depressed portions which are independent of one another. The depressed portions have openings having an average minor-axis diameter Lpc satisfying the relationship of Dg