Myth: Lazy-load all images for speed

Myth: Lazy-load all images for speed
Lazy-loaded the hero: LCP 1.8s -> 3.6s.
loading="lazy" on the LCP image defers its fetch until layout/scroll checks pass, adding a request round-trip before the browser even starts the download.
— Above-the-fold images, especially the LCP element, must be eager + high fetchpriority.
— Lazy-load only below-the-fold. On a 40-image gallery that saved 1.1MB on initial load (p75 +0 to LCP).
Blanket lazy-loading sabotages the one image that's scored.
Takeaway: hero LCP image eager = 1.8s saved vs lazy-loading it.