diff --git a/src/utils/__tests__/lighting.test.ts b/src/utils/__tests__/lighting.test.ts
index 28ec177c..0a922db5 100644
--- a/src/utils/__tests__/lighting.test.ts
+++ b/src/utils/__tests__/lighting.test.ts
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ describe("lighting utilities", () => {
     expect(prompt).toContain("#ffcc88");
     expect(prompt).toContain("x=-0.58");
     expect(prompt).toContain("-45 degree beam angle");
-    expect(prompt).toContain("visible rim light");
+    expect(prompt).toContain("add a second rim light source directly behind the subject");
     expect(prompt).toContain("rim light source vector x=0.00");
     expect(prompt).toContain("z=-1.00");
     expect(prompt).toContain("soft cinematic glow");
diff --git a/src/utils/lighting.ts b/src/utils/lighting.ts
index 95bcc05e..3a4c15ac 100644
--- a/src/utils/lighting.ts
+++ b/src/utils/lighting.ts
@@ -283,9 +283,13 @@ export function buildLightingPrompt(settings?: LightingSettings | null): string
   ];
 
   if (lighting.rimLight) {
+    const rimPos = lighting.rimLightPosition ?? DEFAULT_LIGHTING_SETTINGS.rimLightPosition;
+    const rimHoriz = rimPos.x <= -0.25 ? "camera-left" : rimPos.x >= 0.25 ? "camera-right" : "centered";
+    const rimVert = rimPos.y <= -0.25 ? "above" : rimPos.y >= 0.25 ? "below" : "at subject level";
+    const rimDepth = rimPos.z <= -0.25 ? "directly behind" : rimPos.z >= 0.25 ? "in front of" : "beside";
     parts.push(
-      "visible rim light around the subject",
-      positionInstruction(lighting.rimLightPosition ?? DEFAULT_LIGHTING_SETTINGS.rimLightPosition, "rim light source")
+      `add a second rim light source ${rimDepth} the subject, ${rimHoriz}, ${rimVert}, same color as the main light (${lighting.color})`,
+      positionInstruction(rimPos, "rim light source")
     );
   }