An apparatus for illuminating objects nay include: an imaging device configured to capture an image of an area and to generate a first signal representative of the captured image, wherein the imaging device is further configured to be activated to capture the image of the area under uniform illumination; a processing unit configured to receive the first signal; process the first signal to identify one or more shapes bounded by edges in an acquired image; and process the acquired image by filling each of the identified one or more shapes with a first color, and by filling parts of the acquired it age external to the edges with a second color, to generate a second signal representative of the processed image; and an image projection device configured to receive the second signal; generate a light beam representative of the processed image; and direct the light beam to the area.