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Photo gallery Moments in Time: Photographers’ Choice 2015

December 17, 2015

French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson once wrote about “the decisive moment” — a photographer’s innate ability to sense the “creative fraction of a second when you are taking a picture.” University Communications photographers Jeff Miller and Bryce Richter are masters of these fleeting seconds. Whether they are capturing a high-profile campus event, covering a classroom discussion or simply walking up Bascom Hill with camera in hand, they see details that the rest of us don’t. This now-annual collection of photographs compiled by Miller and Richter — while not meant to be a comprehensive look at our campus — highlights some of the decisive moments of 2015.

Words by Cindy Foss

Wisconsin goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens

Wisconsin goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens celebrates her sport by quoting former UW hockey coach Bob Johnson on her helmet. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Campus diversity forum

Thoughts, feelings and opinions are on the table as participants discuss diversity and inclusion at a campus forum in January. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Man holding a fox

Researching the creatures among us, graduate student Marcus Mueller gently moves a sedated fox to a sheltered area at the Lakeshore Nature Preserve. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Snowball fight on Bascom Hill

Students from the Lakeshore and Southeast residence halls make the most of a snowy situation, taking part in a snowball fight on Bascom Hill in February. Photo by: Jeff Miller

People walking on stilts

With colorful socks leading the way, participants in an Arts Institute workshop at Lathrop Hall practice stilt walking. Photo by: Bryce Richter

What to do when it’s 64 degrees in March? Why, put on shorts and walk out on the still-frozen Lake Mendota, of course.

What to do when it’s 64 degrees in March? Why, put on shorts and walk out on the still-frozen Lake Mendota, of course. Photo by: Bryce Richter

Over-the-moon fans gather on State Street to celebrate the Badgers’ win against undefeated Kentucky in the NCAA Final Four game in April.

Over-the-moon fans gather on State Street to celebrate the Badgers’ win against undefeated Kentucky in the NCAA Final Four game in April. Photo by: Bryce Richter

Big basketball, big accomplishments: Frank Kaminsky, who swept multiple national player honors, including the prestigious John R. Wooden Award, poses with one of the tools of his trade.

Big basketball, big accomplishments: Frank Kaminsky, who swept multiple national player honors, including the prestigious John R. Wooden Award, poses with one of the tools of his trade. Photo by: Jeff Miller

With a smile befitting thoughts of ice cream, food science graduate student Maya Warren, who aspires to have a TV show featuring frozen desserts, serves up a test batch.

With a smile befitting thoughts of ice cream, food science graduate student Maya Warren, who aspires to have a TV show featuring frozen desserts, serves up a test batch. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Goggles in place, Michelle K. Lee, right, director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, tours the Discovery Building’s Living Environments Laboratory with faculty member Kevin Ponto.

Goggles in place, Michelle K. Lee, right, director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, tours the Discovery Building’s Living Environments Laboratory with faculty member Kevin Ponto. Photo by: Bryce Richter

Legislators and staff gathered in an ornate hearing room at the state Capitol listen as UW virologist Yoshihiro Kawaoka explains his work to deter serious diseases such as Ebola.

Legislators and staff gathered in an ornate hearing room at the state Capitol listen as UW virologist Yoshihiro Kawaoka explains his work to deter serious diseases such as Ebola. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Safe and sound: Owlets nestle in the crook of a tree branch and bask in the sun with an adult great horned owl near the Temin Lakeshore Path on an April day.

Safe and sound: Owlets nestle in the crook of a tree branch and bask in the sun with an adult great horned owl near the Temin Lakeshore Path on an April day. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Quietly honoring the victims of a massive earthquake in Nepal, campus and community members hold a candlelight vigil near the state Capitol.

Quietly honoring the victims of a massive earthquake in Nepal, campus and community members hold a candlelight vigil near the state Capitol. Photo by: Bryce Richter

Karla Foster, coordinator for African American Student Academic Services, comforts students after a May announcement that no charges would be brought related to the death of Tony Robinson, an African-American Madison man shot by a Madison police officer.

Karla Foster, coordinator for African American Student Academic Services, comforts students after a May announcement that no charges would be brought related to the death of Tony Robinson, an African-American Madison man shot by a Madison police officer. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Why do we love the UW? Let us count the ways — and write them on a chalkboard during the Bucky’s Day Off event, part of the annual All Campus Party held on Library Mall.

Why do we love the UW? Let us count the ways — and write them on a chalkboard during the Bucky’s Day Off event, part of the annual All Campus Party held on Library Mall. Photo by: Bryce Richter

Chancellor Rebecca Blank and commencement speaker Katie Couric share big smiles along with the 5,800 students — now UW alumni — who received their bachelor’s and master’s degrees during a ceremony at Camp Randall Stadium.

Chancellor Rebecca Blank and commencement speaker Katie Couric share big smiles along with the 5,800 students — now UW alumni — who received their bachelor’s and master’s degrees during a ceremony at Camp Randall Stadium. Photo by: Bryce Richter

No doubt adding to his already impressive vocabulary, Badger basketball player Nigel Hayes browses books during a photo shoot for a UW-Madison Libraries READ poster.

No doubt adding to his already impressive vocabulary, Badger basketball player Nigel Hayes browses books during a photo shoot for a UW-Madison Libraries READ poster. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Aurora Borealis over Lake Mendota

With ghostly boats near Memorial Union Terrace in the foreground, colorful bands of the aurora borealis, or northern lights, glow in the nighttime sky in the wee hours of June 23. Photo by: Jeff Miller

All in a day’s work: Lab manager Nacho Vivas checks on germ-free mice in a carefully monitored sterile-lab environment in the bacteriology department.

All in a day’s work: Lab manager Nacho Vivas checks on germ-free mice in a carefully monitored sterile-lab environment in the bacteriology department. Photo by: Bryce Richter

With a weed-free goal in mind, Ben Futa, curator at the Allen Centennial Gardens, uses a handheld cultivator on a sunny June day.

With a weed-free goal in mind, Ben Futa, curator at the Allen Centennial Gardens, uses a handheld cultivator on a sunny June day. Photo by: Bryce Richter

Having their lettuce and eating it, too, freshwater snails feed in an aquarium tank at the Biotron Laboratory, contributing to Timothy Yoshino’s research related to a human blood parasite.

Having their lettuce and eating it, too, freshwater snails feed in an aquarium tank at the Biotron Laboratory, contributing to Timothy Yoshino’s research related to a human blood parasite. Photo by: Bryce Richter

There’s everything fishy about Kandis Elliot’s talent, which the emerita senior artist has employed to create posters with life-size illustrations of Wisconsin’s fish species.

There’s everything fishy about Kandis Elliot’s talent, which the emerita senior artist has employed to create posters with life-size illustrations of Wisconsin’s fish species. Photo by: Bryce Richter

A visitor to the Chazen Museum of Art cocks her head as she studies a massive — and amazingly detailed — drawing, a work-in-progress by Manabu Ikeda, an artist in residence.

A visitor to the Chazen Museum of Art cocks her head as she studies a massive — and amazingly detailed — drawing, a work-in-progress by Manabu Ikeda, an artist in residence. Photo by: Bryce Richter

In an unexpected display of multitasking, Sarah Krause, an artist’s model, uses a manual typewriter while sitting on Library Mall for assistant professor Leslie Smith III’s life drawing class.

In an unexpected display of multitasking, Sarah Krause, an artist’s model, uses a manual typewriter while sitting on Library Mall for assistant professor Leslie Smith III’s life drawing class. Photo by: Bryce Richter

Speaking of the unexpected, a polar bear taxidermy specimen, donated to the Zoological Museum, is readied for its permanent home atop the foyer entrance of Birge Hall.

Speaking of the unexpected, a polar bear taxidermy specimen, donated to the Zoological Museum, is readied for its permanent home atop the foyer entrance of Birge Hall. Photo by: Jeff Miller

As skeletons hang out close by, UW paleoanthropologist John Hawks types on a laptop in the Biological Anthropology Lab in the Sewell Social Sciences building.

As skeletons hang out close by, UW paleoanthropologist John Hawks types on a laptop in the Biological Anthropology Lab in the Sewell Social Sciences building. Photo by: Jeff Miller

A 1970s-era bridge comes tumbling down in August as spectators watch construction workers demolish the deteriorating structure between the Mosse Humanities Building, left, and Vilas Hall, foreground.

A 1970s-era bridge comes tumbling down in August as spectators watch construction workers demolish the deteriorating structure between the Mosse Humanities Building, left, and Vilas Hall, foreground. Photo by: Jeff Miller

It’s the thrill of this young fan’s life as Badgers running back Corey Clement signs his T-shirt during Family Fun Day at Camp Randall Stadium.

It’s the thrill of this young fan’s life as Badgers running back Corey Clement signs his T-shirt during Family Fun Day at Camp Randall Stadium. Photo by: Bryce Richter

Getting acquainted with volleyball — and having a good time —was on the agenda when the Badger women’s team hosted young participants at a special event at the Field House.

Getting acquainted with volleyball — and having a good time —was on the agenda when the Badger women’s team hosted young participants at a special event at the Field House. Photo by: Bryce Richter

Wow! Students react with amazement as a blindfolded mentalist identifies items collected from the audience during a Wisconsin Welcome event held at the Overture Center.

Wow! Students react with amazement as a blindfolded mentalist identifies items collected from the audience during a Wisconsin Welcome event held at the Overture Center. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Thanks go to umbrella makers as pedestrians hustle through heavy rain on Park Street during a stormy September morning.

Thanks go to umbrella makers as pedestrians hustle through heavy rain on Park Street during a stormy September morning. Photo by: Jeff Miller

With arms open wide and notes pouring out, UW student Alaina Carlson, right, performs for School of Music alumna Brenda Rae during a master class in Music Hall.

With arms open wide and notes pouring out, UW student Alaina Carlson, right, performs for School of Music alumna Brenda Rae during a master class in Music Hall. Photo by: Bryce Richter

Tangible results are revealed as students in a business school class use silk-screening techniques at Wheelhouse Studios to create posters related to “Just Mercy,” this year’s selection for Go Big Read.

Tangible results are revealed as students in a business school class use silk-screening techniques at Wheelhouse Studios to create posters related to “Just Mercy,” this year’s selection for Go Big Read. Photo by: Jeff Miller

This is the reward for getting up before dawn: a view of women's crew rowing along Lake Mendota with the downtown Madison skyline as the backdrop.

This is the reward for getting up before dawn: a view of women's crew rowing along Lake Mendota with the downtown Madison skyline as the backdrop. Photo by: Jeff Miller

As donations pour in for the UW’s Annual Campaign, plastic pink flamingos — one of the most iconic and adored campus symbols — pop up on Bascom Hill in October.

As donations pour in for the UW’s Annual Campaign, plastic pink flamingos — one of the most iconic and adored campus symbols — pop up on Bascom Hill in October. Photo by: Bryce Richter

Huddling under a banner (full disclosure: Happy Homecoming), children ride in the back of a vintage car and wave to thousands of spectators lining State Street during the annual Homecoming Parade.

Huddling under a banner (full disclosure: Happy Homecoming), children ride in the back of a vintage car and wave to thousands of spectators lining State Street during the annual Homecoming Parade. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Seventy-six trombones? Not quite, but no one is counting anything but touchdowns as the UW Marching Band gives another stirring performance at the Homecoming game in October. (The Badgers won.)

Seventy-six trombones? Not quite, but no one is counting anything but touchdowns as the UW Marching Band gives another stirring performance at the Homecoming game in October. (The Badgers won.) Photo by: Bryce Richter

A sea — or, technically, a marsh — of red forms as cranberries are harvested near a Necedah, Wisconsin, farm that grows several varieties bred at the UW and licensed by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.

A sea — or, technically, a marsh — of red forms as cranberries are harvested near a Necedah, Wisconsin, farm that grows several varieties bred at the UW and licensed by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Eyeing a “What Makes Light Different” information booth, a youngster visits an event at the Discovery Building during the Wisconsin Science Festival, a statewide celebration of curiosity and exploration.

Eyeing a “What Makes Light Different” information booth, a youngster visits an event at the Discovery Building during the Wisconsin Science Festival, a statewide celebration of curiosity and exploration. Photo by: Bryce Richter

Undeterred by a blustery November night, hundreds of UW students and community members gather on Bascom Hill for a Black Out March held to support African-American students at the University of Missouri.

Undeterred by a blustery November night, hundreds of UW students and community members gather on Bascom Hill for a Black Out March held to support African-American students at the University of Missouri. Photo by: Bryce Richter

Mother Nature meets Wisconsin football as UW Athletics staff clear the outcome of a November snowstorm before the Badgers’ final home game at Camp Randall Stadium.

Mother Nature meets Wisconsin football as UW Athletics staff clear the outcome of a November snowstorm before the Badgers’ final home game at Camp Randall Stadium. Photo by: Jeff Miller

A four-star visit: Admiral Michelle Howard, the U.S. Navy's vice chief of naval operations, speaks to 50 midshipmen in the campus’s Naval ROTC unit.

A four-star visit: Admiral Michelle Howard, the U.S. Navy's vice chief of naval operations, speaks to 50 midshipmen in the campus’s Naval ROTC unit. Photo by: Jeff Miller

As a symbol against gun violence, artist in residence Eric Adjetey Anang invites guests to help break the barrel of the gun-shaped coffin that he created at the Art Lofts.

As a symbol against gun violence, artist in residence Eric Adjetey Anang invites guests to help break the barrel of the gun-shaped coffin that he created at the Art Lofts. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Bo Ryan and referee talking

Shielding their words from onlookers, referee Gene Steratore and men’s basketball Coach Bo Ryan confer during a game at the Kohl Center in February. After leading the Badgers to the NCAA final, Ryan wrapped up his career in December. Thanks, Coach, for so many great seasons! Photo by: Bryce Richter

Students hunker down inside Wendt Library to study for final exams.

Students hunker down inside Wendt Library to study for final exams. Photo by: Bryce Richter

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Tags: recent sightings, student life

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