Hiya Tom & Welcome!
Good questions you have there. Though some turn their nose up to this idea, I always emphasize that taking the picture to your stylist helps the communication perfectly. This way you know they see what you are asking for. I know I LOVE it when someone brings a picture. We discuss whether it works with their hair type, etc. Whether it works for them in their time frame in the mornings etc. And we BOTH know we are talking about the exact same style and not just a picture I conjure up of what I "think" they are talking about. Anyways....
The first picture shows the bangs or fringe to be very short
in length, and the layers on top are the same as the back and yet longer than the sides, yes. WITH THE EXCEPTION of the very front top which is longer. I hope that answers about how the fringe is cut and the length from the sides to back. Back looks to be about a # 3 while the top front is much longer and should be cut with scissors to do a design cut. The sides are cut in closer, more like a 2. Around the ears are cut out so that it just barely touches them...and you can vocalize this. So you would ask for (and show with your hand) the length in the front to be short, length in the back right above the collar, cut short...try 3 (depends on hair's' density). Trick is you want them to understand you don't want to see the scalp! And though the sides are tapered in a little closer, you don't want more the scalp really showing here (not much anyways) either. Tell them to leave a "Tuft" of hair on top front for fanning out in the style that yes, you could use a bit of wax or putty. Try both to see which you like best with your hair thickness and texture.
Oh yes, the other picture has the fringe quite a bit longer as you already can see. The length is touching the ears, maybe a little more than the other style, yet not mucher longer (layers) around sides and back. Trick is here that layers are longer and they're not cut with clippers at all, just scissors into a longer style. As for his styling. You could experiment different things, however, he appears to have different views here depending on his activity and the wind velocity.
Best of luck! Let me know if I can help further!!!