Light distance and intensity

Is it better to raise your light and turn up the intensity or lower the light and dim it?

Also, would you get more light dispersed and thus more reflected light off the sides of the tent that then hits the plants at more angles with a higher light and higher intensity vs lower and dimmer?

Coverage area increases with height but PPFD decreases. PPFD increases with lowering your light, but coverage area decreases As long as you can achieve the desired area of coverage and PPFD, running them softer will increase electrical efficiency and extend the lights life. Lower and softer is desirable in most cases. You reach saturation in a tent so its mostly about electrical losses due to heat. Less heat = less cooling = secondary/tertiary electrical efficiencies as well.