A method and apparatus for optical recording addresses a problem of edge shift which occurs during the recording. The apparatus includes a rotating mechanism for rotating an optical medium, and an optical head having a light source for recording information on the optical medium. A moving mechanism moves the optical head to a predetermined position on the optical medium, and a recording controlling device controls light source of the optical head in accordance with a recording pulse. The recording controlling device includes a pulse width measuring device for measuring the pulse width of a recording pulse, and fall controlling device effects a recording compensation by advancing a fall of the recording pulse with a lead, such that the lead increases with the measured pulse width. A pulse interval measuring device is provided for measuring a pulse interval preceding the recording pulse, and a rise controlling device effects a recording compensation by delaying a rise of the recording pulse with a delay, such that the delay decreases with the measured pulse interval.