Downtown Cincinnati in September, 1975 (Lyntha Scott Eiler/National Archives, Records of the Environmental Protection Agency)

David Rosenberg from the Behold photo blog at Slate.com has written up an excellent story entitled, “Searching for the ’70s and Finding America.” The article highlights a number of wonderful images taken by various photographers for the Documerica Project in the 1970s.

Here’s a choice quote and a few shots to soak up:

“Founded by Gifford Hampshire, Documerica lasted about six years, hired roughly 70 photographers, and knocked out 115 assignments in all 50 states. Photographers were paid $150 a day plus film and expenses and were given the creative freedom to interpret environmental issues outlined to them from EPA employees.

The results—22,000 images—ended up documenting environmental issues and brought another meaning to environment that focused on local neighborhoods, social issues, political changes, and the remarkable fashion trends typical of the 1970s.

The National Archives in Washington, D.C., edited through the archives of Documerica and has put on view an exhibition titled “Searching for the Seventies: The Documerica Photography Project” that will run through Sept. 8 in the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery.”

Portland, Ore., in April 1974 (David Falconer/National Archives, Records of the Environmental Protection Agency)

Brooklyn, N.Y., in June 1974 (Danny Lyon/National Archives, Records of the Environmental Protection Agency)

New Ulm, Minn. in October 1974 (Art Hanson/National Archives, Records of the Environmental Protection Agency)

Read and see more at Slate.com and at the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery.

Previously on 70s Shots: Everyday life in the hood: NYC, Ford & Pele