[ehrwien]

Just a thought... If the shots were taken though a closed window, the glass probably reduced the image quality a bit, even if the window was very clean.

I would like to re-emphasize that point. If that was the case here, you'll get much better pictures if you can manage to open the window for shooting. Any reflection you can see on your window from the outside means that light is not getting through the window. You'll have more light to work with and get more contrast in your pictures when nothing is the path of the light. Again, IF you shot through a closed window here.