A position detection apparatus includes a first irradiation section and a second irradiation section that irradiate an operation surface with detection light, an imaging section that captures an image of the operation surface, and a detection section that detects a pointed position pointed with a pointing element based on the captured image. The first irradiation section is disposed in a position closer to the operation surface than the second irradiation section and emits light having intensity higher than the intensity of the light emitted from the second irradiation section. Instead, the position detection apparatus further includes an adjustment section that adjusts the intensity of the light emitted from at least one of the first irradiation section and the second irradiation section to adjust contrast between the pointing element and the operation surface to a value that exceeds a threshold.