A directional illumination system for use with an endoscope for creating shadows in an object field for improving depth perception and contrast. The directional illumination system includes an endoscope distal tip including a plurality of light ports and a plurality of illumination fibers extending within the endoscope distal tip and arranged to direct light through the plurality of light ports onto an object field. At least one light source is operatively coupled to the plurality of illumination fibers for supplying light to the illumination fibers. A switching mechanism is operatively coupled to the plurality of illumination fibers and the at least one light source for selectively delivering light to the illumination fibers. The switching mechanism is configured for activating a first set of illumination fibers that are arranged to direct light through one or more light ports of the plurality of light ports while refraining from activating a second set of illumination fibers, the second set of illumination fibers being arranged to direct light though at least one light port of the plurality of light ports. Activating the first set of illumination fibers without activating the second set of illumination fibers creates shadows in the object field which improves a users depth perception within the object field.
