Due　to　the　uneven　distribution　of　light　at　night,　the　quality　of　the　night　color　image　is　usually　unsatisfactory.　To　solve　this　problem,　in　this　paper,　we　propose　a　new　statistical　method　based　on　the　retinex.　The　algorithm　analyzes　the　transformation　relationship　between　the　nighttime　image　and　illumination　image　by　the　algorithm　of　Michael　Elad　and　MSRCR　algorithm.　Through　this　transformation,　we　can　accurately　and　quickly　get　the　illumination　image.　Then,　we　can　get　the　resulting　image　successfully　based　on　the　retinex.　Our　algorithm　can　greatly　enhance　the　image　contrast　and　brightness,　recover　image　details,　eliminate　the　＇halo　effect＇　efficiently,　and　accelerate　the　computational　speed　remarkably.　Experiments　on　different　nighttime　images　demonstrate　the　effectiveness　of　our　approach.　©　2014　CSREA　Press.