Abstract: A color image copying system (10) includes a light modulator (12) that receives incident light rays emanating from a source (14) of light. The light modulator comprises a light dispersing apparatus (54) that disperses different wavelengths of the incident light rays to different locations on a focal surface (60). A filter mask (68) aligned with the focal surface transmits preselected wavelengths of the ultraviolet light and blocks light of all other wavelengths. Each of a set of light valves (86, 88, 90) receives a different wavelength of light transmitted by the filter mask and intensity modulates it in accordance with image pixel information provided by an information source (16). An optical focusing apparatus (56) focuses the intensity-modulated wavelengths of light to a relatively small location (20) on an image focal surface (22) which is aligned with a light-sensitive medium (24).