The sky was on the wrong side for the building in the 2nd shot! I may have to get up really early one morning...
I see what you mean about the horse eating the college, I tend to focus too much on what's directly in front of me and forget backgrounds.
Not sure about fussy lighting, is it the light trails you don't like or the street lights? I was considering cloning out the lamp post but settled for toning it down a bit.