You just have to LOVE the ReDynaMix plug-in from Mediachance for taking a difficult lighting situation like this and making the most of it. It is hard to get a good exposure of my house because it is largely backlit. When the sky is properly exposed there is no detail in the house. I've only had it a short time but to me it seems to be every bit as useful at Photomatix and it costs a whole lot less! http://www.mediachance.com/plugins/redynamix.html