Figure 15 Photograph of holographic set up on isolation table.
To start the exposure, lift the shutter card off the isolation table. After the exposure time has elapsed, place the shutter card back down blocking the laser beam. The plate is ready to be developed.
Developing
Turn on the room lights.
Viewing
Well its time to take a look at your hologram. The hologram we shot is a white light reflection hologram (viewable in standard white light). The sharpest image is obtained with a point light source and a black background behind the hologram. The sun, tungsten halogen spots and bright white light LEDs work well. Incandescent lamps can be used, but the image quality will suffer.
To view the hologram the point light source must illuminate the hologram at the same angle as the laser beam did during exposure. So you may have to rotate the hologram a couple of times and vary the angle until the light strikes the plate correctly. If you are holding the holographic plate upside down (in reference to the angle of the laser light used to make the hologram) or sideways you may not see any image at all.
To improve the appearance of the image, place something black behind the hologram. Figure shows a hologram I shot of a model flowerpot.
Figure 16 Finished Hologram