Gatsby v3.0 introduces a revamped gatsby-plugin-image, enhancing its robust and optimized image handling capabilities to make the inclusion of high-performance, responsive images more seamless and efficient for users. The new plugin offers three layout options—constrained, fixed, and full-width—allowing developers to choose the best fit for their needs, and supports advanced features such as automatic AVIF image generation and breakpoint management based on global device usage analytics. The plugin aims to maintain high Lighthouse scores by optimizing image loading, recommending lazy loading by default but permitting eager loading for critical above-the-fold images. Additional guidance is provided on setting default processing options through gatsby-plugin-sharp and using the sizes prop to optimize resolution selection without manually setting breakpoints, ensuring that the plugin performs effectively with sensible defaults. Despite these detailed best practices, users should find that the plugin delivers excellent performance and user experience out of the box, with automated features like responsive containers and native lazy loading. A webinar is scheduled to further demonstrate the plugin's capabilities and address common user pitfalls, promising insights into the latest advancements in image optimization with Gatsby.