Hello GaiusIulius!
very nice shots!!
i am very inspired by your NYorkers too(I'm trying to buy more kepis myself)...and that soldier wearing a pig-tail...no kidding? i guess it was possible because there are guys still wearing that even today

(but i'll faint if he marries my daughter

)
ps. but like you...i have lighting and focussing problems too...but its good that you dont worry about that and just show us what you can(mine are usually so dark(like your flag on the left, last pic)