Let' s see what science is behind its magic light results—a geometric graph that defines any point on the curve at an equal distance from a focus and the directrix. Put that on light system, the curve represents reflector, axis of symmetryis where focusing rod is with light source as a point moving along on it to achieve a range of light qualities.
Light first travels onto reflector and then bounce outward to hit your subject. The curve reflects rays in certain angles depending on the light position. When the light is placed most inward, scattered rays are stretched to form a focused and narrow beam with great contrast; when at the focus, rays being collimated to output parallel light that keep both strength and smoothness. When light is moved further out, reflected rays tend to diffuse, with some hit the subject while some spread out away, so light becomes softer with less contrast.