In a novel process for the reversible or irreversible production of an image by the imagewise action of energy on a recording layer, resulting in a pattern of surface charges which corresponds to the imagewise action of the energy, on the surface of the recording layer, the recording layer used is one which contains or consists of an organic material which solidifies in glassy form, is nonphotoconductive or only slightly photoconductive and has permanent dipoles, whereinthe pattern of surface charges is produced, without or almost without formation of free charge carriers, by reversible imagewise orientation of some or all of the permanent dipoles present in the recording layer, with the aid of an electric field applied imagewise.The novel process is advantageously carried out using a novel apparatus which comprises a suitable recording element, apparatus for the imagewise action of an electric field on the recording layer of the recording element and a counter-electrode which is in direct, non-frictional contact with the recording layer and can be removed again therefrom. The pattern of surface charges which is produced by the novel process can be treated with liquid or solid toners. The resulting toner image can then either be fixed on the recording layer or transferred from the recording layer to another surface, after which the pattern of surface charges can be deleted by uniform action of energy. Thereafter, a further image can be produced. In this way, it is possible to produce photocopies without the high voltage sources required in the conventional electrophotographic processes having to be used.