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+# Image Optimization & Carousel Features
+
+This document describes the new image handling features added to the Hugo site for better SEO, performance, and user experience.
+
+## Features Implemented
+
+### 1. Automatic Image Optimization (All Images)
+
+All markdown images are now automatically enhanced with:
+
+- **Responsive Sizing**: Images scale properly on all devices
+- **Lazy Loading**: Images load only when needed, improving page load time
+- **SEO Optimization**:
+  - Structured data (Schema.org ImageObject)
+  - Proper alt attributes for accessibility
+  - Width/height attributes when available
+- **Click-to-Zoom**: Click any image to view it in a lightbox
+- **Consistent Styling**: All images have uniform border-radius, shadows, and hover effects
+
+**No changes needed!** All existing markdown images like:
+```markdown
+![Alt text](/images/my-image.png)
+```
+Will automatically get these enhancements.
+
+### 2. Image Carousel/Gallery
+
+For multiple related images, you can now create a carousel using the `carousel` shortcode.
+
+#### Basic Usage
+
+```markdown
+{{< carousel >}}
+![Image 1 alt text](/images/image1.png "Optional caption 1")
+![Image 2 alt text](/images/image2.png "Optional caption 2")
+![Image 3 alt text](/images/image3.png "Optional caption 3")
+{{< /carousel >}}
+```
+
+#### Advanced Usage with Parameters
+
+```markdown
+{{< carousel autoplay="true" interval="5000" indicators="true" counter="true" >}}
+![Image 1](/images/image1.png)
+![Image 2](/images/image2.png)
+![Image 3](/images/image3.png)
+{{< /carousel >}}
+```
+
+**Parameters:**
+- `autoplay`: Enable automatic slide progression (default: `false`)
+- `interval`: Time between slides in milliseconds (default: `5000`)
+- `indicators`: Show dot indicators below carousel (default: `true`)
+- `counter`: Show "1 / 3" style counter (default: `true`)
+
+#### Carousel Features
+
+- **Navigation**: Previous/Next arrow buttons
+- **Indicators**: Clickable dots to jump to specific slides
+- **Keyboard Support**: Left/Right arrow keys to navigate
+- **Touch/Swipe**: Swipe left/right on mobile devices
+- **Autoplay**: Optional automatic progression
+- **Accessible**: Full ARIA labels and keyboard navigation
+- **Responsive**: Works perfectly on mobile, tablet, and desktop
+
+### 3. Lightbox Functionality
+
+All images (both standalone and in carousels) support click-to-zoom:
+
+- Click any image to view it full-screen
+- Click outside the image or press `Escape` to close
+- Works on all devices
+
+## Technical Details
+
+### File Structure
+
+```
+├── assets/
+│   ├── css/
+│   │   └── custom-images.css       # All image and carousel styles
+│   └── js/
+│       └── image-handler.js        # Carousel and lightbox JavaScript
+├── layouts/
+│   ├── _default/
+│   │   ├── baseof.html            # Base template with custom partials
+│   │   ├── single.html            # Single page layout
+│   │   └── _markup/
+│   │       └── render-image.html  # Image render hook (auto-applied)
+│   ├── partials/
+│   │   ├── custom-head.html       # CSS injection
+│   │   └── custom-footer.html     # JS injection
+│   └── shortcodes/
+│       └── carousel.html          # Carousel shortcode
+└── hugo.toml                      # Updated with customCSS and customJS
+```
+
+### SEO Benefits
+
+1. **Structured Data**: All images include Schema.org ImageObject markup
+2. **Alt Attributes**: Preserved from markdown for screen readers and SEO
+3. **Lazy Loading**: Improves Core Web Vitals (LCP, CLS)
+4. **Responsive Images**: Proper sizing hints for faster rendering
+5. **Semantic HTML**: Uses `<figure>` and `<figcaption>` elements
+
+### Performance Optimizations
+
+1. **Lazy Loading**: Images load only when scrolled into view
+2. **Minified Assets**: CSS and JS are minified and fingerprinted
+3. **Efficient JavaScript**: No external dependencies, vanilla JS
+4. **Reduced Motion Support**: Respects `prefers-reduced-motion`
+5. **Intersection Observer**: Modern browser API for efficient lazy loading
+
+### Accessibility
+
+1. **ARIA Labels**: Full support for screen readers
+2. **Keyboard Navigation**: All carousel controls accessible via keyboard
+3. **Focus Management**: Proper focus indicators
+4. **Alt Text**: Preserved and used throughout
+5. **Semantic HTML**: Proper use of `<figure>`, `<img>`, `role` attributes
+
+### Browser Support
+
+- **Modern Browsers**: Full feature support (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
+- **Older Browsers**: Graceful degradation (images still display, just without enhancements)
+- **Mobile**: Full touch/swipe support
+
+## Migration Guide
+
+### For Existing Content
+
+**Good news!** No changes needed. All existing markdown images will automatically:
+- Be properly sized and styled
+- Have lazy loading enabled
+- Be clickable for lightbox viewing
+- Include proper SEO attributes
+
+### For New Content
+
+#### Single Images (Recommended)
+Just use standard markdown:
+```markdown
+![Descriptive alt text](/images/my-image.png "Optional caption")
+```
+
+#### Multiple Related Images
+Use the carousel shortcode:
+```markdown
+{{< carousel >}}
+![Image 1](/images/img1.png)
+![Image 2](/images/img2.png)
+![Image 3](/images/img3.png)
+{{< /carousel >}}
+```
+
+## Customization
+
+### Styling
+
+To customize image or carousel styles, edit:
+```
+assets/css/custom-images.css
+```
+
+Key CSS classes:
+- `.content-image` - All content images
+- `.image-carousel` - Carousel container
+- `.carousel-slide` - Individual slides
+- `.carousel-nav` - Navigation buttons
+- `.lightbox` - Lightbox modal
+
+### Behavior
+
+To customize carousel or lightbox behavior, edit:
+```
+assets/js/image-handler.js
+```
+
+## Testing
+
+To test locally:
+```bash
+hugo server -D
+```
+
+Visit your site and:
+1. Check that single images are properly styled and clickable
+2. Create a test post with a carousel
+3. Test navigation (arrows, dots, keyboard, swipe)
+4. Test lightbox functionality
+5. Check mobile responsiveness
+
+## Google Search Console
+
+After deploying, monitor:
+1. **Core Web Vitals**: Should see improvements in LCP (Largest Contentful Paint)
+2. **Mobile Usability**: Images should be properly sized
+3. **Structured Data**: Check for ImageObject detection
+4. **Page Speed**: Should see faster load times
+
+## Questions?
+
+If you have questions about using these features, refer to:
+- Hugo Documentation: https://gohugo.io/content-management/shortcodes/
+- This file for usage examples
+- The CSS/JS files for implementation details