How to use Element Header to display feature image and title

Tough one!

First, let's create a shortcode to display your post title and more button:

add_shortcode( 'most_recent_hero_post', function() {
    $latest_posts = get_posts( 'numberposts=1' );
    $latest_id = $latest_posts[0]->ID;

    $return = '<h2>' . get_the_title( $latest_id ) . '</h2>';
    $return .= '<a class="button hero-button" href="' . get_permalink( $latest_id ) . '">Read more</a>';

    return $return;
} );

So now you can use [most_recent_hero_post] to output that data.

So now we need to exclude the most recent post from the actual loop, which we can do with this:

add_filter( 'pre_get_posts', function( $query ) {
    if ( $query->is_home() && $query->is_main_query() ) {
        $query->set( 'offset', '1' );
    }
} );

Ok, now we need to set the background image of our hero..

add_filter( 'generate_page_hero_background_image_url', function( $image_url, $options ) {
    if ( 10 === $options['element_id'] ) {
        $latest_posts = get_posts( 'numberposts=1' );
        $latest_id = $latest_posts[0]->ID;

        $image_url = get_the_post_thumbnail_url( $latest_id );
    }

    return $image_url;
}, 10, 2 );

The only thing you need to change in the above function is the 10. Change it to whatever ID your Hero Element has.

Hope this helps :)

Tom - really appreciate your help on this! Two questions.

1. I used a hook with the code to exclude the most recent post from the actual loop but the most recent post still remains? (code sample #2)

2. Can I use a class instead of an ID when setting the background image in the hero? (code sample #3)

here's the screen shot of hook element https://kelleyranaudo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Screen-Shot-2018-11-09-at-7.22.42-PM.png

Thank you,
John

You'll want to add all 3 functions using one of these methods: https://docs.generatepress.com/article/adding-php/

Then add the shortcode to the Element: [most_recent_hero_post]

Not too sure what you mean about using a class instead of an ID? Can you explain a bit more?

Perfect. Thank you for your help!

You're welcome :)