A method and apparatus for improving measurements of a laser beam in a laser imaging system. The method includes, positioning an apodizing filter having a transmission profile that approaches a maximum at its edges between a pixelated detector and a laser source. The method further includes, emitting a laser beam from the laser source onto the apodizing filter and transmitting a portion of the laser incident upon the apodizing filter to the pixelated detector in accordance with the transmission profile of the apodizing filter such that the signal-to-noise ratio of the portion of the laser incident upon the pixelated detector is improved. The apodizing filter may be selected from a linear apodizing filter, a radial apodizing filter and a prism apodizing filter.