An electrostatic recording material, on which image information has been recorded as an electrostatic latent image, and which is capable of outputting a signal in accordance with the electrostatic latent image by being subjected to exposure scanning with reading light having been produced by a reading light source, is obtained. Electrostatic shielding is performed between a moving member, which is capable of moving at the time of the exposure scanning of the electrostatic recording material with the reading light, and which has characteristics of undergoing capacity coupling with the electrostatic recording material, and the electrostatic recording material. The exposure scanning is performed in this state.