Again I was assigned by Brightroom to shoot the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco. Last year it was beautiful sunny day in the city, but my assignment to shoot runners crossing the finish line, was a joke. This year, again it was a perfectly beautiful SF spring day, and again, more problems.

This year, I had a slightly different assignment. I shot the runners in the swim/bike transition along Marina again and then off to the Baker Beach Sand Steps to capture the agony of the competitors at the end of the grueling run. The first part was fine, went and all that, but the other photographer assigned to shoot the transition with was a no show.

Then I had to get to the Sand Steps, but my car was blocked in and there were no transportation of any kind. I had to hoof it. I'm not exactly sure how far it is, but it took me more than hour in the winding, uphill streets of the Presidio to get there. There's no reason I should ever have to do anything like that, but it's so typical of the poor planning that is always a problem at larger Brightroom events. Anyway, I got there before the first runner arrived, so I was annoyed but relieved.

After the swim off "The Rock", the Baker Beach Sand Steps are the seminal moment in the race when runners climb up about 400 feet from the beach to the road along a unforgiving steep and sandy incline. It's a grueling an agonizing ascent at the end of the very difficult race. Very few of the athletes, even the elite professionals, actually run. Most walk, shuffle or drag themselves up using the cords that line either side of the "steps".

The reaction from the runners was interesting. The top performers completely ignored me, as you would expect, but many in the field of amateurs offered a comment. Some would joke, saying are you sure your film is fast enough to capture this (never heard that one before). Some cursed me for being there. Others thanked me. Some stopped when they noticed me and turned back down the stairs so I could capture a shot of them faux running. Many just smiled through the pain and hammed for the camera.

The only problem came from a fat ass TV cameraman who was giving me shit for not getting out of the way while we was standing in the middle of the narrow path forcing runners to either side, some even apologizing for getting in his way. He left for a while to shoot the top, I guess, but when he came back he stood right in front of me. What a jackass.

When the last runner came through, I headed back through the Presidio, past the Golden Gate Bridge, through Crissy Field and along the Marina Green. It was much nicer walking back since I was done shooting and didn't have to sweat getting anywhere before runners showed, but still I shouldn't have had to walk. It shows a complete lack of planning and organization on the part of Brightroom and is really pathetic for a professional photography outfit.

When I was done, I was chatting with my old buddy Hasein, who was the lead on the shoot, and he told me, much to my surprise, that Brightroom had cut our rates by 10 bucks an hour. Supposedly the company sent out an email to all the photographers explaining the cut, but I never got it and since this was the first job I accepted this year, I was totally in the dark. I was not pleased. Last year they decided not to pay us for the time we are told to arrive and the start time of the race and now this. Sort of fucked up, especially when I find out after the end of the shoot.

I sent an email this morning to Brightroom expressing my concerns about planning that led to me having to walk all over the Presidio and not being informed of the rate cut and got an email back expressing no contrition whatsoever. I always wonder about these companies that pull shit like this and still expect any kind of loyalty or respect from their contractors. It's really nonsensical.

Now I have to make the decision if I ever want to work for them again. I don't need to. I don't need the money. I'm not going to make a career out of this kind of photography or any kind really. It's just fun to get out and shoot, but when I have to deal this shit, it sort of sucks the enjoyment out of the whole thing.

Anyway, the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon will be shown on national TV between June 24 and July 31. Check you local listings for exact stations and times. Probably NBC. Probably on the weekend. If you see it, let me know what you think of the sand steps.