Most beginners *not directed at you lance* like to turn up the luminosity in photo matix or whatever program they are using. In photomatix, if the setting ends in -osity, then if you turn up that setting the pictures looks more fake. Some people like the more aggressive style, some don't. I really gotta take it easy on the luminosity slider too. You can get rid of the photomatix water mark by buying the program or through other means of obtaining the software.