We have found that a binder with a low percentage hydrolysis is particularly useful for recording efficient reflection holograms as such binders have lower permeability and thus inhibit diffusion of polymer away from the regions where it has been formed. A low molecular weight is also generally preferred as this will dissolve more readily in water. The binder may have a hydrolysis percentage of less than 85% , (most preferably about 80%) and a molecular weight of less than 30,000 (most preferably in the range of about 8000 to about 9000). The chemical formula of an alternative lower percentage hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol in which a second polymer (generally polyvinyl acetate, from which the polyvinyl alcohol is synthesized) is as follows