An image reading apparatus includes an imaging unit, an image data analysis unit, and an image combination unit. The imaging unit images the document image multiple times from mutually differing angles to generate a plurality of data images each representing the document image. The image data analysis unit performs matching on the plurality of data images by matching the plurality of data images, on a per-region basis in each of the plurality of images of the document represented by the plurality of data images, so as to obtain per-region brightnesses for the plurality of data images, and comparing the obtained brightnesses among the plurality of data images to select from among the plurality of data images each data image whose region is comparatively brighter. The image compositing unit uses the data images selected on the per-region basis as comparatively bright to generate a composite data image.