Provided is a method for the automatic determination of a region of interest in an image, comprising the steps of: segmenting the image into a plurality of smaller regions, each region extending over a plurality of pixels; performing an analysis on each of said regions to characterize an aspect of the region relating to its level of importance in communicating information to a viewer; grouping adjacent regions having similar aspect characteristics; and identifying at least one group as a region of interest. Also provided is a method employing the steps above for use in an automated document composition process, where overlaid content is not placed over regions of interest that are identified.