A method for determining with a physical image processing device a visual balance of an image includes assigning a visual weight point to each of a plurality of visual elements within the image with the image processing device, each visual weight point having a weight value based on visual properties associated with the visual element, and determining the visual balance of the image with the image processing device by measuring a vector value at a center of the composition, the vector value being based on a distance of each visual weight point from the center and the weight value associated with each visual weight point.