Python-tesseract, i.e. pytesseract, is a Python wrapper around Google's Tesseract, an optical-character recognition program.

Here's a basic snippet:

from PIL import Image
import pytesseract
fname = './nytimes.com.201506231100.jpg'
img = Image.open(fname)
print(pytesseract.image_to_string(img)))

Trying it on a screengrab of the NYTimes homepage.

Not too shabby. It messes up on the decorative text, such as the NYT's logo, but catches SHOP THE NEW COLLECTION in the Cartier ad (though not the word, CLOSE):

U.S. INTERNATIONAL

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World US. Politics NewYork Business Opinion Technology Science Health Sports Arts Style Food Travel Magazine Real Estate ALL

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The Opinion Pages

Senate Vote

Puts Trade Bill,
Obama Priority,

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A crucial vote cleared the way
for legislation to be on the
president’s desk this week
giving him the power to
complete the Trans-Pacific

Partnership.
' 63 Comments

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Flag Across South

   

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