  We present UBVI surface photometry of a sample of low surface brightness
(LSB) disk galaxies. LSB disk galaxies are fairly well described as exponential
disks with no preferred value for either scale length, central surface
brightness, or rotational velocity. Indeed, the distribution of scale lengths
is indistinguishable from that of high surface brightness spirals, indicating
that dynamically similar galaxies (e.g., those with comparable Rv^2) exist over
a large range in surface density.
  These LSB galaxies are strikingly blue. The complete lack of correlation
between central surface brightness and color rules out any fading scenario.
Similarly, the oxygen abundances inferred from HII region spectra are
uncorrelated with color so the low metallicities are not the primary cause of
the blue colors. While these are difficult to interpret in the absence of
significant star formation, the most plausible scenario is a stellar population
with a young mean age stemming from late formation and subsequent slow
evolution.
  These properties suggest that LSB disks formed from low initial overdensities
with correspondingly late collapse times.
