Compositional Interpretation (CI) is the method of understanding of how an image is constructed (and its effectiveness) via the analysis of visual elements. This allows informal conclusions to be drawn as to the intention or meaning of the image. CI is focussed on an image’s materiality, as opposed to deconstructing what an image means.
The aspects that should be taken into consideration when dissecting the visual elements of an image include content, colour, light, special organisation, expressive content and moving images. These elements help discern what an image actually shows, the application of hue, saturation and value of colour for varied levels of emphasis, the identification of light source and its relationship to colour, the atmosphere or feeling of the image, and consideration of the complication or simplicity of an image.
Theories of Visual Communication 