AQ‐switched frequency‐doubled Nd : YAG laser was used to record holograms in LiNbO3 : Fe. For 1% diffraction efficiency, only 50 mJ/cm2was needed, as compared to 500 mJ/cm2for cw recording. Induced absorption, comparable in magnitude with the linear absorption at 647 nm, was observed during hologram recording. This indicates the existence of secondary absorption centers in LiNbO3 : Fe. Their contribution to the enhanced photorefractive effect is discussed.