I use Photomatix Pro and as MA suggests, I always end up doing further editing in PS Elements (very often to boost the contrast etc). It is like any of the tools we have, it is best when used selectively as I find it does not work for all instances ( even when I think it should, given the lighting conditions). I have had some good results ( some of which I have posted in these forums in the past), but as I say it doesn't work everytime. The latest version of Photomatix is much more sophisticated than the earlier versions and it does pay to play around with the controls and understand what each one does.

taffy