Well, since someone else started the discussion of Alain's crops, I add my own two cents.
I really like all of Bernard's images as originally presented.
I like number one for its overwhelming whiteness and the slight warmth to the colour balance. The sheer beauty of the snow on the branches is stunning. I do find it a touch busy and long for a stronger sense of a subject. Ironically, now that I see the 'eye' I finding it a somewhat clearer image in that regard.
I feel number three might be suffering the most from the small display size (given that it is a longer crop). I also think the blue cast wouldn't stand out as strongly if it wasn't directly beside other more neutral images.
As for the two images that Alain cropped, I found them to be the most dynamic compositionally of Bernard's posting.
In image two, there is a strong sense of perceived movement with that branch seeming to reach forth towards the water.
In the fourth image, I almost feel precariously on the edge of that water ready to look down and find myself with my toes in it. Of the four images, it is the one where I most feel like I am right there in the image.
I find that Alain's crops take that dynamic quality away from both of these shots and give a much more visually relaxing and a more pleasing sense of composition. If I was looking at a website, a magazine, or a travel guide, I would find Bernard's crops more captivating and engaging. If I was buying a print from my own home, I definitely pick Alain's crops. For a print, for a domestic setting, I would take Alain's crop of number four first.
My $0.02.