Image processing device, image processing methods and programs, and imaging apparatus

An image processing method comprising:

• an image acquisition process of acquiring a time-series image group captured by an imaging unit;
• a character selection process of selecting a character or a character string from at least one image in the image group;
• an image selection process of selecting a target image, on which the character or the character string is placed, from the image group;
• a layout determination process of determining a layout of the character or the character string in the image of the target image in accordance with meaning of the character or the character string;
• an assist information generation process of generating imaging assist information for assisting in setting composition during imaging performed by the imaging unit;
• a synthesis process of synthesizing the imaging assist information with the target image based on the determined layout;
• and
• a display control process of displaying the synthesized image on a display unit.