Early filmmaking was not as sophisticated as early photography in its use of artificial light. The website Film Reference notes that in the era of silent movies, filmmakers primarily accessed natural light. They used rooftop sets or studios "built with either an open air design or glass roof." This provided clarity, but not dramatic effects. As the range of lighting sources increased and filmmakers became aware of the effects that they could create, lighting design increasingly affected moviemaking technique.
Film Reference says that by the 1920s, filmmakers were using a lighting technique called the "three-point system" to make actors and sets look better and to improve "narrative requirements." This involved using three lights---two cast on either side of the actor and one back light. Three-point lighting is still a standard filmmaking technique. The University of Texas at Austin provides diagrams of the lighting arrangement on its website. It says the backlight creates a "defining edge" that makes a person or object stand out and appear more three-dimensional against background.
Changing the tint of a film by using filters helps to change the mood. The website TV Tropes cites the example of "CSI Miami," shot with cheerful bright-colored filters versus the pilot for "CSI New York," which used blue filters that created a grittier look. TV Tropes says that bright colors create a "naturally inviting" look.