A container inspection system is described herein. The container inspection system includes a light source that emits a flash of light when a container is detected as being in an inspection region. The container inspection system further includes a light director element that receives a portion of the flash of light and forms a tapering field of light that illuminates an exterior surface of a sidewall of the container when the container is in the inspection region. The container inspection system further comprises a camera that generates an image of the exterior surface when such surface is illuminated by the tapering field of light. A computing system receives the image and outputs an indication as to whether or not the container is defective based upon the image.