Image reading apparatus

An image reading apparatus that reads an image on an original, comprising:

• a transparent plate on which the original is automatically transported;
• a light emitter disposed under the transparent plate that emits light to the original from behind with respect to a transport direction thereof;
• a photodetector that receives reflection of the light;
• a projection plane fixed above the transparent plate at a position spaced apart from the photodetector by a predetermined distance;
• a sensing unit that recognizes through the photodetector a shadow of a leading edge of the original projected on the projection plane, when the leading edge of the original being automatically transported on the transparent plate is illuminated with the light from the light emitter;
• and
• an original presser that presses the original being automatically transported on the transparent plate, the original presser being located above the transparent plate on a same side of the transparent plate as the projection plane, and the original presser being located between the projection plane and the transparent plate.