A method and apparatus for producing holograms may use a computer generated 3-D model or data generated using multiple 2-D camera images taken of a real 3-D object or scene. The data is digitally processed and displayed on a high resolution spatial light modulator (SLM). A low energy pulsed laser records composite holograms on a holographic emulsion using a special optical design. Restricted or full parallax master transmission or reflection type composite holograms, known as H1 holograms, may be created that can be copied using traditional methods to produce full or single color rainbow white-light transmission holograms, achromatic white-light transmission holograms or single or full-color white-light reflection holograms. Alternatively, full or single color rainbow white-light transmission composite holograms, achromatic white-light transmission composite holograms or single or full-color white-light reflection composite holograms may be directly written without passing through the intermediate stage of the H1 transmission hologram.