Born in Los Angeles in 1945, David Engle moved to the South Bay in 1951. His introduction to photography began at the age of 14 while processing film for his father.

Following a high school curriculum emphasizing the arts, Engle's formal education began in 1964 at El Camino College graduating with an Associate Degree in Photography. He continued his education at the Art Center School of Design, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in photography and design.

Although he has traveled throughout North America and Hawaii, Engle's body of work comes from his love of the coastline of Southern California, primarily the South Bay area where he resides and has his studio. Utilizing a panoramic camera and other medium format cameras, David Engle captures his images in color and in black and white.