Traditional wavelet-based algorithm has a common effect on the images of light nonuniformity and scarcity. Aiming at the shortcoming, a new wavelet-based algorithm for image enhancement was proposed. The image was first decomposed into multi-level wavelet to obtain the scaling coefficients and the multi-level wavelet coefficients. Then, every level of wavelet coefficients was enhanced by different algorithms, and the scaling coefficients were processed by MSR(Multiscale Retinex). Finally, the image of enhancement was obtained via the inverse wavelet transform. Experiments show that the algorithm excels conventional algorithms in the effect of enhancement and the abatement of noise, at the same time, it has an excellent effect on the images of light nonuniformity and scarcity.