A laser based lighting system, comprising: a first laser light source; a second laser light source; a light conversion element; and an optical element for directing the outputs from first and second laser light sources (10, 12) to the light conversion element, which generates a wavelength-converted light output in response to excitation by laser light, an optical output element which shapes an output light (18, 20) from the light conversion element, characterised in that the first and second laser light sources (10, 12) generate laser light of different wavelength having different absorption characteristics within the light conversion element, such that the range of depths within the light conversion element from which wavelength-converted light is generated is different for excitation by the first laser light source output and the second laser light source output, and wherein the light conversion element is designed for outputting part of the wavelength-converted light; sideways (18, 20), in a direction transverse to a depth of the light conversion element, and is further designed such that the range of depths within the light conversion element from which wavelength-converted light is emitted sideways is different for the wavelength-converted light generated from excitation by the first laser light source output and the wavelength-converted light generated from excitation by the second laser light source output, whereby the optical output element shapes an output light (18, 20) from the light conversion element as a function of the depth from which the wavelength-converted light is sideways output. a first laser light source; a second laser light source; a light conversion element; and an optical element for directing the outputs from first and second laser light sources (10, 12) to the light conversion element, which generates a wavelength-converted light output in response to excitation by laser light, an optical output element which shapes an output light (18, 20) from the light conversion element, characterised in that the first and second laser light sources (10, 12) generate laser light of different wavelength having different absorption characteristics within the light conversion element, such that the range of depths within the light conversion element from which wavelength-converted light is generated is different for excitation by the first laser light source output and the second laser light source output, and wherein the light conversion element is designed for outputting part of the wavelength-converted light; sideways (18, 20), in a direction transverse to a depth of the light conversion element, and is further designed such that the range of depths within the light conversion element from which wavelength-converted light is emitted sideways is different for the wavelength-converted light generated from excitation by the first laser light source output and the wavelength-converted light generated from excitation by the second laser light source output, whereby the optical output element shapes an output light (18, 20) from the light conversion element as a function of the depth from which the wavelength-converted light is sideways output.