An image-wise exposure apparatus comprises a light source for producing recording light, to which a photosensitive material is to be exposed, and a spatial modulation device provided with a plurality of picture elements located in the form of a two-dimensional array. The spatial modulation device raster-scans the picture elements and thereby carries out spatial modulation of the recording light. A picture element shifting device changes the optical relationship between the spatial modulation device and the photosensitive material. A controller sets all of the picture elements of the spatial modulation device to a totally closed condition for a single frame period and drives the picture element shifting device while all of the picture elements of the spatial modulation device are being in the totally closed condition. Effects of a picture element shifting operation are thereby obtained sufficiently, and image-wise exposure is carried out quickly.