Allan, here is how I use Wow!. Dan, please step in if you do not want this to be too much about a tool other than PPW.

The Portrait, Beauty, Boost presets do not work for me, either. I rarely use decompose, just because of the time involved, and because the results without it are nice. However, there is one simple, powerful adjustment only available from decompose, and that is adjusting the Opacity of the Base layer that is produced from the Decompose operation. That only gets a casual mention in the User Manual, but it is powerful.

My basic use of Wow! is to build on the Landscape preset from the first version of Wow!

I start with 3, 2, 1, 2, 4, in going from left to right for the high frequency adjustment to low frequency adjustment band amounts. I run this with Medium frequency setpoints and then judge the result. Usually, any needed adjustments are at the low frequency ends and require reductions, e.g., 3, 2, 1, 1, 2. Sometimes, if there is too much high frequency influence band 1 will get lowered. Less often, band 2. The usual changes are with bands 4 and 5. Sometimes band 4 will get adjusted negative, to reverse contrast and keep some shadows from getting too dark or to lighten them. I also will run another layer with the Large or Custom frequency setpoint and choose which one is best.

I use the histogram to judge how much masking is needed. You will develop a feel for that. If there is too much clipping I will adjust the mask sliders to reduce or eliminate it. I do not blur this mask.

I have a Nikon D500 with a 20.9MP sensor. Other resolutions will likely require other settings.

Josh