We report the observation of self‐induced gratings or noise gratings in an acrylamide photopolymer for use in real time holography. The possibilities of this noise source as an optimization technique for this type of material are pointed out. Noise gratings in these polymer films were created upon exposure to a He–Ne laser collimated beam at 633 nm without any subsequent processing step. The influence of intensity on recording noise gratings and angular selectivity are reported showing its influence on the recording of this type of noise source in real time holographic materials. ©1995 American Institute of Physics.