An object information obtaining apparatus includes a conversion element configured to receive a photoacoustic wave generated in an object in response to irradiation with light from a light irradiation unit and convert the received photoacoustic wave into an electric signal, a light quantity distribution obtaining unit configured to obtain light quantity distribution information in the object, a first distribution obtaining unit configured to obtain distribution information of a photoacoustic wave generation source in the object, a correction unit configured to correct the distribution information and also correct the light quantity distribution information in correspondence with the correction, and a second distribution obtaining unit configured to obtain characteristic distribution information in the object by using the corrected distribution information and the corrected light quantity distribution information.
