A method of writing a single or double parallax composite 1-step hologram is disclosed. Digital data is acquired from a real or virtual object and is described by a luminous intensity tensor. A single mathematical transformation is performed to convert the luminous intensity tensor into a mask tensor. The single mathematical transformation transforms the digital data whilst integrally correcting the digital data for the finite distortion of an optical objective. Corrected data, described by the mask tensor, is written on to a spatial light modulator. A laser beam is directed on to the spatial light modulator so that at least a portion of the laser beam is spatially modulated to form a spatially modulated laser beam. The spatially modulated laser beam is then passed through an optical objective having a finite distortion and in combination with a reference recording beam forms a composite hologram.