  We present IZJHKL' photometry of the core of the cluster NGC 6611 in the
Eagle Nebula. This photometry is used to constrain the Initial Mass Function
(IMF) and the circumstellar disk frequency of the young stellar objects.
Optical spectroscopy of 258 objects is used to confirm membership and constrain
contamination as well as individual reddening estimates. Our overall aim is to
assess the influence of the ionizing radiation from the massive stars on the
formation and evolution of young low-mass stars and their disks. The disk
frequency determined from the JHKL' colour-colour diagram suggests that the
ionizing radiation from the massive stars has little effect on disk evolution
(Oliveira et al. 2005). The cluster IMF seems indistinguishable from those of
quieter environments; however towards lower masses the tell-tale signs of an
environmental influence are expected to become more noticeable, a question we
are currently addressing with our recently acquired ultra-deep (ACS and NICMOS)
HST images.
