This is one of those locales that really needs a wide angle lens. This might have worked better in landscape rather than portrait mode. Its a nice memory (I hope for you), I enjoyed the whole San Simeon(sp?) trip.
If you return, try to capture some of the griffons or other poolside sculpture to add scale and not just have another pool shot. Nice angle, still needs some item for scale or to break up the water. Otherwise it is just a travel snap.CDPrice 'drg' Biography and Contributor's Page
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Yeah, it's not meant to be a work of art for sure. I've seen many shots of Hurst Castle much better than this, and as you say a wide angle lens is the way to go. The shot I wanted was blocked off of our tour (haste!!!) but I think the 28mm would have worked then. But I think I got the exposure right and its a nice memory . The best shot I've seen yet was in the latest National Geographic Photographers Guide book (the expanded field guide) I believe, where the gryphon was the foreground of the same pool I took a shot of. But it looked as though you needed "special" permission to get to that part of the pool for the shot. OH well. Thanks for your critique and I agree with you 100%.
Carl
My 'new' signature:
. The best shot I've seen yet was in the latest National Geographic Photographers Guide book (the expanded field guide) I believe, where the gryphon was the foreground of the same pool I took a shot of. But it looked as though you needed "special" permission to get to that part of the pool for the shot. 
OH well. Thanks for your critique and I agree with you 100%.