The invention relates to a method and device for removing light by absorption. Undesired light (6') in guided by a light entrance aperture (15) into a hollow body (14) having a light-absorbing inner surface. The light (6') which is directed into the hollow body (14) falls onto the reflection surface (17) of a reflector (16). The reflection surface (17) is configured and positioned in such a way that the light (6') which is reflected back from the reflection surface is not reflected in itself, that only a minor amount of said light (6') does not reach the outside as scattered light via the light entrance aperture (15) and that a substantial amount of said light (6') reaches the inside of the hollow body (14) where it is absorbed. The invention can be particularly used in an electronic recording device for point and line illumination of a recording material with a laser beam, wherein an undesired secondary beam is absorbed according to the inventive method in order to avoid disturbing retroreflections.