A photographic element is disclosed comprising a support having thereon a silver halide emulsion layer spectrally sensitized with(a) a first sensitizing dye according to the formula: ##STR1## Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 each independently represents the atoms necessary to complete a substituted or unsubstituted 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic nucleus,R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each independently represents substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted aryl.R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, and R.sub.6 each independently represents hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, andX represents a counterion, and(b) a second sensitizing dye having a maximum sensitivity at a wavelength of about 5 to 100 nm less than the wavelength of maximum sensitivity of the first sensitizing dye.