While the benefits of image optimization are well known, in practice, it is one of the most misunderstood topics in all of WordPress. With the addition of responsive images and an influx of new solutions in the marketplace, the topic of image optimization deserves an updated take on best practices for the modern responsive landscape.
This talk begins with a step-by-step analysis of how WordPress processes images by default. With this baseline understanding established, we will review common misconceptions about image optimization techniques that sometimes do more harm than good. One such example is the practice of optimizing images *before* upload, which actually has no effect on the generated image sizes.
By exploring a combination of best practices and common snafus, the audience will take away the key concepts necessary to optimize responsive images in a manner that works with WordPress, not against it.