An image reading apparatus includes: a light source that generates light by synthesizing light from different illuminants, and irradiates an irradiated object with the light; a reading unit that reads light irradiated by the light source and reflected by the irradiated object and generates image information on the irradiated object; a correction amount setting unit that acquires from the reading unit the image information generated by using, as the irradiated object, a color sample formed in a color of light emitted by any one of the illuminants generating the light of the light source, and that sets, according to the acquired image information, a correction amount to correct the image information on the irradiated object generated by the reading unit; and a correction unit that corrects the image information on the irradiated object generated by the reading unit, by using the correction amount set by the correction amount setting unit.