A backup light apparatus provides a somewhat uniform distribution of light intensity in an area within the view of a backup camera of a vehicle. The backup light apparatus may satisfy various governmental and manufacturer safety rules. The backup light apparatus has a pillow lens array, a first collimator, a prism lens array, and a second collimator. The first collimator directs light in the direction of its optical axis to the pillow lens array. The second collimator directs light in the direction of its optical axis to the prism lens array. The pillow lens array has an array of pillow lenses facing away from the first collimator. The prism lens array has an array of prism lenses facing away from the second collimator. The prism lenses direct light at varying angles relative to the optical axis of the second collimator.