David Topping Photography

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Toronto, ON
David Topping Photography

Portraits • Landscapes • Workshops I am a Toronto-based photographer of people and places.

With a passion for the outdoors, I’m naturally drawn to landscape and nature photography. I also enjoy connecting with people and capturing their personalities through portrait photography. As a workshop leader, I love to teach and inspire, drawing on my background as a graphic designer and my skills as a photographer to help others explore their creative potential. To see more of my work or for more information about me, visit my website.

01/06/2026

A serendipitous moment in the Dolomites…

Conditions were constantly changing, with clouds engulfing the peaks then dissipating. I was shooting continuously, trying to capture the moment when the mountains were revealed just enough to create an interesting composition.

It wasn’t until I reviewed the photos on my computer that I realized a flock of birds had flown through the frame at the perfect moment. It was a happy accident that added an unexpected element to this ethereal scene.

A quick note: on a small mobile screen, the birds (choughs, for you bird people out there) might look a bit like dust spots, so this one is probably best viewed on a larger display to really appreciate the detail.

12/19/2025

An unexpected view of Cortina d’Ampezzo…

This was an unplanned stop on the drive back to the hotel, but the layers in the valley were impossible to ignore. The sun was just rising, creating a beautiful separation between the sharp mountain ridges and the sea of clouds filling the valley floor.

In scenes like this, the composition relies entirely on that atmospheric depth, stacking the dark foreground against the soft, muted tones in the distance. Definitely worth returning late for breakfast.

12/16/2025

Just one more black-and-white photo from the Dolomites...

I loved this high-contrast scene of Cinque Torri – the dark rock dramatically framed by the soft cloud and white snow. It's not the iconic shot, but I’m always happy when I can find a slightly different perspective when photographing an iconic location.

12/15/2025

Another angle from the Cinque Torri area…

This location in the Dolomites offered incredible layers, with the clouds constantly rolling in and out. Since the light was flat at the time, the colours were dull. My solution, once again, was to convert to black-and-white to eliminate those weaker elements.

The transformation puts the focus onto the texture of the rock, the composition of the trees isolated on the ridge, and the depth created by those receding layers of cloud. When the colours fail, converting to black-and-white is an effective creative approach to emphasize form and contrast.

12/09/2025

Stepping away from an iconic Dolomites view…

This scene was taken from the Cinque Torri area, but focused on the dramatic peaks of the surrounding mountains. It’s a great reminder that there’s often more to an iconic location than just the iconic subject.

The light at the time was less than ideal – the colours were flat, and the scene felt dull. I chose to eliminate the weaker elements entirely by converting to black-and-white. The transformation makes the image purely about the textures of the rock, the drama of the clouds rolling in, and the isolation of those small trees on the ridge.

For me, black-and-white isn't a filter; it's a creative decision to emphasize form and light.

12/07/2025

Sharing another image from the Italian Dolomites…

The weather along the trail to Tre Cime di Lavaredo was constantly changing, shifting from blue skies to clouds that completely engulfed the peaks. In these conditions, the success (and failures—yes, I had lots of those, too) is all about capturing the moment when the cloud and mountain form a strong composition. Too much cloud, or too little, and the balance wouldn't hold.

I took a lot of photos in the changing light to ensure I captured the right nuance, as it's the subtle compositional balance that truly elevates a mountain image. This is why I love moody, changeable conditions for mountain photography.

12/02/2025

Finally had a chance to go through the photos I took on a recent workshop in the Italian Dolomites that I co-led with Viktoria Haack Photography and thought I'd share a few (more to come).

Searching for the balance between clouds and mountains – I could watch scenes like this unfold for hours.

Days like this are always the most rewarding for me. I love mountains, and a moody atmosphere is one of my favourite elements for dramatic mountain photography.

In processing, my personal style is to lean into the soft light and desaturated tones. It emphasizes the textures and mood rather than the colour. It just feels right.

I'm curious – which do you prefer? Soft contrast like this, or bold colour?

01/30/2025

Wandering the streets of Paris, there’s no shortage of interesting subjects to photograph – this is the Fontaine des Mers at Place de la Concorde. While its colours are beautiful, the lighting wasn’t ideal when I visited, so I opted for a black-and-white treatment to emphasize the textures and tones of the fountain.

01/29/2025

Another beautiful Paris interior – this time inside Sainte-Chapelle, a medieval chapel renowned for its ornate stained glass windows and Gothic architecture.

01/28/2025

Switching gears today! While I usually focus on landscapes and portraits, the graphic designer in me is drawn to the patterns, textures, and timeless beauty of architectural subjects – especially historic icons like the Sacré-Coeur Basilica in Paris. I loved the soft light and muted tones of this interior view of the dome. Inspiration is everywhere!

Address

Toronto, ON

Website

http://www.davidtopping.ca/

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