.work-item {
  position: relative;
  display: inline-block;
  overflow: hidden;
}

.work-item img {
  height: 450px;          /* or any fixed height you like */
  width: auto;  
  display: block;
  border-radius: 8px; /* optional */
}

.work-item .overlay-text {
  position: absolute;
  bottom: 0; /* Or center with top:50%, left:50% + transform */
  left: 0;
  right: 0;
  background: rgba(0,0,0,0.6); /* semi-transparent background */
  color: #fff;
  font-size: 1rem;
  text-align: center;
  padding: 10px;
  opacity: 0;
  transition: opacity 0.3s ease;
}

.work-item:hover .overlay-text {
  opacity: 1;
}

.container {
  position: relative;
  display: inline-block;
  margin: 10px;
}

.image {
  opacity: 1;
  display: block;
  width: 100%;
  height: auto;
  transition: .5s ease;
  backface-visibility: hidden;
  border-radius: 8px; /* optional */
}

.middle {
  transition: .5s ease;
  opacity: 0;
  position: absolute;
  top: 50%;
  left: 50%;
  transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
  text-align: center;
}

.container:hover .image {
  opacity: 0.3;
}

.container:hover .middle {
  opacity: 1;
}

.text {
  background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.7); /* semi-transparent black */
  color: white;
  font-size: 16px;
  padding: 10px 20px;
  border-radius: 5px;
}