A method and apparatus for optically enhancing graphical data such as seismic traces to assist in visual interpretation of such data, including an anamorphotic optical system (13) of lenses, prisms or mirrors to enable reproduction on photographic film (14) of a reduced image of graphical data on computer printout (8), the reduced image having reduction in the X axis different from the reduction in the Y axis. The image so produced selectively condenses the graphical data in one or more axes to visually enhance features contained in the data. Instead of an anamorphotic optical system, a video camera and magnetic tape can be used to record an image which can be later viewed with reduced dimensions.