What is the reason behind seasoning "from a distance"? I've seen some top chefs like Gordon Ramsay seasoning their food in the "air" or "from a distance". 

Please take a look on the following example, where Chef Ramsay is seasoning a scallop:

https://youtu.be/SyBF8S_Ocf0?t=1m12s

Why is this technique used? Chef Ramsay specifically gives directions to season like this, so I imagine there must be a reason.

Other similar example is this now famous Turkish chef who has become an internet sensation and meme.
Looking at the Scallop-and-peas video, it just looks like the chef is trying to sprinkle seasoning evenly onto a relatively small area of food. If you rain seasoning down from a distance it is less likely to land unevenly than if you shake some on at close range. Imagine spray-painting a wall: for even coverage, you gotta stand back.

In the case of the Turkish meat-chef, it is because it looks cool. Notice his theatrical posture.