[en] Infrared photometry with the Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) 50 inch (1.3 m) telescope, simultaneous photometry in u, b, v, and r with the KPNO 36 inch (91 cm) and 16 inch (41 cm) telescopes, and standard UBVr photometry and scanner measurements of the Balmer lines with the Manastash Ridge Observatory (MRO) 30 inch (76 cm) telescope were obtained for five dwarf novae (SS Cyg, Rx And, Z Cam, AH Her, and AB Dra). The observed magnitudes were converted to fluxes and the flux distribution over wavelength at minimum light was studied. Comparison of the observed distributions with that expected from free-free emission with various temperature hot spots and with different types of secondary stars yields the contribution of spot and secondary for each system. Assuming a size and distance enables the determination of the density of the spot (about 10/sup 15/ cm/sup -3/). Rough analysis of the Balmer decrement shows that the lines are optically thick at minimum.The differences among the systems are discussed in terms of the period between maxima. The systems with the shortest period (Z Cam types) have the hottest spots so that the secondary is unimportant at minimum.The flickering of Z Cam at minimum is explained in terms of a temperature change in the spot which could be caused by density clumps in the stream