RacingBetter News
	Saturday 4th October 2025

Photographing Horses at Full Speed: How to Capture the Moment Only Using Your Phone

A day at the racecourse is an experience full of speed, sound and movement. It feels almost impossible to capture it all in a photo, but with the right tips and tricks you can come home with pictures that show more than just a blur in the distance. You don't even need an expensive professional camera. A modern phone will go a long way, as long as you learn how to use it to its full potential.

Keep an eye on the light

Light is always the most important factor. Mornings and late afternoons provide warm light and nice shadows. In the middle of the day it often becomes flat and harsh, especially if the sun is directly over the track. A good idea is to position yourself so that the light comes in at an angle from the side or from the front. This will give the horse more shape in the muscles and make the eyes stand out more. The best weather for photographing is if it's cloudy, since it makes the light soft and even. 

Use continuous shots

Most modern phones have a continuous mode, often set by holding down the shutter button. The camera will then take several pictures continuously. With this setting, the chance of capturing the horse at the right pace increases dramatically. There's a lot to sift through, but it will be worth it. Among ten half-good photos, a real hit often appears.

Follow the movement with panning

Do you want to create a sense of speed and excitement, like the one you usually find at an online casino? Try panning. Hold your phone steady and follow the horse at the same speed as it runs. Press the shutter during the movement. This will make the horse relatively sharp while the background blurs into sweeping lines. Start with short distances and practice. It's easier than it sounds but requires a little patience.

Stabilize yourself

A phone is light, which also makes it a bit sensitive to shaking. Hold it with both hands. Lean on the railing if there is one. Accessories like a small gimbal or a compact hand grip help, but thinking about your posture goes a long way. Bend your arms slightly and relax.

Think about the background

Audiences, signs and parked cars draw the eyes away from the subject. Move a little so that the horse passes towards the grass, track or sky instead. Try photographing from a low angle. Crouching down makes the horse look bigger and more powerful, and you often avoid cluttered backgrounds.

Use focus lock

On most phones, you press and hold the screen to lock focus on an area, for example where the horses will run. This will prevent the camera from looking for something else just when it matters. Also, drag the exposure slider up or down if the subject is too bright or dark.

Play with perspective

Vary your shot during the day. Shoot from the starting area when the horses are charging. Switch to the racetrack when the fight is at its fiercest. Also take photos that capture the atmosphere around you: program sheets, the dust from the gravel, people cheering. The small details make the whole thing more alive.

Edit easily

After the race, it's easy to fix the photos directly on your phone. Crop to remove distracting parts. Adjust the light and contrast carefully. Bring out the colors a little, but avoid filters that take away the sense of reality. A photo doesn't have to be technically perfect to feel good.

Small preparations make a difference

Fully charge the battery before you leave the house. Clear some space on your phone so you don't have to panic when the storage runs out. It's a good idea to have a thin cleaning cloth in your pocket in case the lens gets dirty. And perhaps most importantly: be patient. Good pictures won't come when you're stressed. It's about seeing the moment. The next time you're standing at the railing and hear hooves thunder, follow the rhythm and press the button. In your collection on your camera roll, there's sure to be one that will make you remember the whole day as if you were there again.