Flash packs indoors or portable dedicated outdoors?

[Zneg1]

I saw this technique on this site where the photographer used large studio strobes (flash packs):

www.thefstopmag.com/?p=33

Do you think it would be possible to achieve the same thing with portable strobes (dedicated flash)? Maybe do this the 'Strobist way' and shoot it outside and composite later? What do you think?

 

[jstuedle]

It's possible, just use the most powerful strobes you can find. SB-28 or SB-80's should do the trick. The main difference will be the shots you linked to are most likely shot at around ISO 100. You might need to go up to 400 or higher to get the aperture you want. Outside you will want higher shutter speeds to freeze the action, otherwise the daylight will be enough to show a "trail" left by the action. Watch you don't shoot faster than your cameras max. flash sync.

If your intent is the multiple exposure look, then outside is out of the equation. To get that effect you will need to hold the shutter open and flash the strobe multiple times during the action. The "studio" needs to be black w/black backdrop for it to work.