Lenzr photo contests always aim to challenge contestants. The themes for each contest are different, and in some cases, unusual. Many would not consider fireplaces or haircuts as the breeding ground for creativity, but that completely depends on the way you see things through your camera’s lens. The 4 new Lenzr contests play with your perception, and ours; it's about what's beautiful to you. Do you find beauty in unique angles or is it lighting? Give these contests a try in order to win some awesome prizes.

The first photo contest is Fireplaces and Furnaces. The inspiration behind this contest came from the fact that the summer weather feels hotter than a furnace! An added trick to this challenge is that your picture must be taken indoors in order to qualify. Being the middle of summer it might be difficult to capture the cozy setting (told you we aim to challenge photographers). Your shot can be of you and others gathered by a fireplace or demonstrating how you use a furnace in your everyday activities. You will have to gather votes for your image to make it part of the top 10. The winner of this contest will receive a Sony laptop courtesy of an Ontario furnace installer. After all, the summertime is the best time, cost-wise, to consider furnace replacement.

The second photo contest on the go is Toronto Tourist Attractions. Residents of Toronto may not realize the allure of Ontario's capital. But Toronto is not only just a great starting point for gorgeous destinations such as Niagara Falls and the Muskokas, it's a world-class city that truly has something for everyone. So channel your inner travel photographer; think about what you would like to see in a travel publication. The winner of this contest will receive an inflatable SeaEagle kayak. Exciting and definitely fun for the season, the kayak weighs only 26 lbs and can be folded into a backpack. The prize is courtesy of a Toronto bed and breakfast that’s as downtown as you’ll find in Canada’s largest city.

The third photo contest is Haircuts and Hairstyles. Think of all the photographs you have taken over the years with your favorite hairstyles. Did they feature braids, twists, curls or mullets? If you have a favourite hairstyle or a friend with a must-see 'do, send your photo into Lenzr's playing field! Submit a photo of a beautiful or unusual hairstyle. The best submission will win a high-end blow dryer and flat iron courtesy of a newly-opened Yorkville salon. The fun part about these prizes is that you can use the flat iron to curl the hair as well (it may take some practice, though).

The Objects in Motion photo contest is the toughest contest of the bunch. You will need a decent camera to perfect the winning shot. This contest asks contestants to take a picture of an object as it’s moving. Make the image unique and an incredible capture; think a person spinning in the middle of a dance, or your child running up towards you for a hug. Let your shot illustrate the trajectory route of what's moving--make that the focal point of your photograph. The winner of this contest will receive a Sony laptop courtesy of an international air freight company that’s constantly keeping objects in motion over land, sea and sky.

Lenzr.com has launched another set of photo contests that really speak to the summer weather. Each contest asks participants to either spend time outdoors or have some major fun in order to be creative with their shots. Thinking outside the box is a must in order to impress the Lenzr Judges and these contests ask for nothing less than exceptional. So get your sunblock and that party outfit ready to take on these challenges and win yourself some incredible prizes.

Construction Sights:

The first contest for this cycle is called Construction Sights. Contestants are asked to bring out the beauty behind a construction site. Don't just think of this as a dusty and dirty environment, instead, consider the fact that something is being built, transformed or updated to higher standards. At the end of the ruckus we all get to benefit from new roads or buildings. Since this season has a lot of that going on right now, it shouldn’t be too hard to find the opportunity to get snapping.

Go out for a walk and bring your camera along with you--with this weather, you are sure to find a construction sight along your path. Capture the beauty behind workers successfully completing their jobs and the improvement of your city. The winner will receive a Sony laptop courtesy of an Ottawa windows company. They are known for their expertise and quality work. Another thing this sponsor is known for is their exceptional customer service. The family owned business has been successful for more than 35 years because they deliver a smile along with their windows and roofing services. Offering 4 different types of roofing and service for windows and doors, they are the number one choice for home owners in Canada's capitol.

Best Staff Office Party:

Finding a great job nowadays can be very hard. It's important to find a place with a perfect balance of professionalism and fun. With the economy finally making steps towards a recovery, more and more opportunities are opening up for young professionals. Celebrate your career and take part in The Best Staff Office Party photo contest. Participants are asked to capture images of some of the best times they have had with their co workers. It can be a co worker’s birthday celebration or Christmas party. The idea is to showcase the most fun you or your co workers have shared and the everlasting bond created through it. Was the highlight of the night your boss serving drinks, or dressed up as Santa? Relive those moments and win yourself the prize of this contest. The winner will receive a Sony Laptop courtesy of an IT staff firm. This firm specializes in linking employers with young professionals on the job hunt. If you are looking for help finding a new employee or searching for your future career, they are there to help.

A Counting Exercise:

The A Counting Exercise is very unique because it means something different to each and every one of us. Participants are asked to take pictures of repeating patterns that can be counted in a photograph. This contest is great for those constantly on the count; try to count the number of colors there are in a pattern on a shirt, or the number of red cars you see parked on the street. If you love counting then this is the contest for you. Go out and capture images of your mathematical distraction and have some fun with it. The Winner of this photo contest will receive a Sony laptop courtesy of web savvy North York accountants. The firm specializes in counting your numbers so you don't have to. Finding a great accountant can be very hard. The trick is to find a firm that treats your business as if it is theirs and understand the impact each step has on the future of a company. Your company's success should be your accountant's number one interest. The sponsor of this contest stands behind their services and offer the upmost quality and efficiency when it comes a business's needs.

Shafts of Sunlight:

There is nothing more comforting than waking up to a beam of light coming through your window. It's very comforting knowing that the sun is out and that it's time for summer. This contest is very calming to the soul. Participants in the Shafts Of Sunlight photo contest are asked to make a shaft of light seem tangible. It needs to look like something the judges can hold. Any photographer understands the challenge behind this contest so make sure you get a good night sleep in order to win.

Photos can be taken indoors as they brighten and uplift the mood of the room. The winner for this contest will receive a Sony DSCH70 Camera, sponsored by sunrooms in Ontario Canada. The state of the art sunrooms allow you to enjoy the view outside your home while maintaining your home's security. The contests all have a ten day Voting Period that begins July 15th and ends July 25th. During that time, other members and visitors to the site will be prompted to rate the pictures. You can promote your photo to all your friends and get as many votes as possible. Only the ten photos with the most votes get to advance to the Lenzr Judges on July 25th. The Judges will deliberate and the winner will be announced on the Lenzr Blog on August 1st. You must be 13 yrs+ to enter. Open to all Canadian provinces, excluding Quebec. For more information on the blogs, check out the Lenzr Blog.

The autumn Lenzr is titled Ontario Tourist Attractions and is designed to make people nostalgic and remember their family road trips across this great province and all the places they stopped to take in the sights and snap some family pictures for scrapbooks and photo albums.

This web challenge asks users to upload scenic shots of Ontario's most delightful destinations...

Ontario Tourist Attractions photo contest on Lenzr sponsored by Kanetix insurance & mortgage rate quotes this photo contest ends 12:01 am on the morning of November 1st 2009. Two Prizes: both cash prizes. There’s a $200 value first prize, followed by a $100 second prize

The Big Nickle was submitted by sj_gb who delights the admin by linking to a personal photography blogspot in the designated area in the user profile. This contest is a search for pictures that celebrate of our province’s most interesting destinations, and the Big Nickle is a classic. Look at these other gems, This photo by Slimmswitch is called Ottawa - The Spider City and so far it has the most votes with the highest rating.

Caption: Located in Ottawa, if you stand under this huge spider and look up you can actually see they put fake spider eggs inside the structure?? The one is titled, No Pesky Neighbours Here and was uploaded by mommakoala. This is a terrific photo from 1000 islands tourist attraction in the most eastern corner of Ontario.