Photography In Horse Racing: How To Take The Best Photos
It has always been a challenge for photographers to take photos of running horses, especially in a tight race like the Kentucky Derby where every horse is running at 40 mph. Plus the entire race lasts for about two minutes, which means that if you blink, you can miss the action.
So, there is no doubt that capturing the perfect photo of a running horse takes some skill, and it is more than just pointing and clicking.
It’s all about the perfect timing, having the right gear, and the best camera settings. Plus, you have to know a thing or two about photo editing, just because even the best photographers use some editing software to make the photos even more lively.
With that said, let’s go through some of the tips on how to take the best photos of horses.
Using the Right Equipment
Although smartphones now have incredibly good cameras, a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a high burst rate is a must, especially if you like to do this professionally. Having something that can do 8-10 frames per second (FPS) is crucial for catching fast-paced action like horse racing.
So, which is the best camera to use? Well, there are certainly many contenders, but one of the best ones is the Nikon D850 or Canon EOS R6. Both of these cameras are praised for speed and autofocus, which is key when taking the perfect horse racing photo.
With that said, we also have to mention that lenses are important too! So, consider getting something like a 70-200mm telephoto (like the Canon RF 70-200mm f/4) that can get you close to the action, or if you want more detailed and close-up images, consider getting a 100-400mm (Sigma’s 100-400mm f/5-6.3).
Lastly, you’ll need a fast memory card that can keep up with bursts and a monopod steadies long lenses without slowing you down. So, consider getting a memory card like SanDisk Extreme Pro, 170MB/s.
Master Your Settings
Now that we got the camera equipment out of the way, let’s focus on the second most important part of the process - the settings. Horse racing is a sport with fast-paced action, where you have to carefully adjust your camera settings in order to capture the perfect shot.
So, let’s start with your shutter speed, which is best to set it to at least 1/1000s, or 1/2000s in bright light. On the other hand, the aperture should be around (f/2.8-f/4) for shallow depth.
The ISO settings are also very important, and these depend on the weather conditions and light. For example, if you are taking photos on a sunny day, it is best to go for 100-200 ISO, while on cloudy days, you can bump it up to 800.
Most people make the same mistake of shooting in JPEG, but all pros would agree that shooting in RAW is much better since you have more editing flexibility.
Another important thing to mention is to have the autofocus on. This is a fast-paced action, so don’t try to manually focus if you don’t like blurry photos. Turn on autofocus and place the tracking point on the jockey’s torso.
Pick Your Spot
Location’s everything in racing photography. Near the starting gate, you’ll catch the explosive break—horses bunched, tension high. Mid-track shots at turns show speed and lean; get low for drama.
The finish line’s gold—focus on the leader crossing, jockey raised. Smaller meets might let you snag closer spots—ask officials for rail access (no flash!).
Timing Is King
A great shot hinges on the “decisive moment”—not just the finish. Catch horses’ mid-stride, all four legs aloft, for peak power.
Panning’s a twist: drop to 1/30s, track the horse, and blur the background for motion. Practice bursts—10-20 shots per pass—and review; one X user at Churchill Downs in 2024 nabbed a viral finish-line leap this way. Warm up with early races—don’t sleep on the undercard.
Tell the Story
Racing’s more than the run. Paddock shots—jockeys mounting, horses gleaming—set the scene; golden hour light (pre-9 AM or post-4 PM) glows.
Post-race, sweaty horses cool down, muscles rippling—so go for 30-40 minutes after for relaxed poses. Crowd reactions, silks flapping, and even a jockey’s muddy boots add flavor love these details.
Mix wide shots (24-70mm lens) of the track with tight crops (200mm) of a horse’s eye or reins. Plus, learning more about the sport can help you become a better photographer. Understanding horse racing odds and how the race is played can focus you on the right moments in a race.
Safety First
Horses spook easily—flashes, loud clicks, or sudden moves can chaos a shoot. Stay back, ditch the flash (banned at most tracks), and signal your presence gently. At Keeneland, pros keep lenses low and quiet, avoiding rails—mimicking them keeps you safe and shooting, says.
Edit Like a Pro
Post-processing polishes the magic. Lightroom fixes lens distortion and lifts shadows—crucial for dark bays against bright fences. Crop tight to cut clutter, tweak white balance for turf’s green, and dodge mud off silks in Photoshop if needed. RAW’s extra data saves overexposed highlights from a midday sun.
Photography is all about creativity, so you just have to follow our basic setting rules and camera equipment tips. The rest is up to you!