contest/ranking/voting suggestions/questions
 

OK, confusing enough? I plan to run a contest, however, I am concerned with the "ranking" method as many will just run over and rank all of their competetors at "1" and thus artificially deflating the others' ranks. Also, I am concerned with a large set of photos in the "vote" method many photos won't get looked at.

Therefore I am looking to others to ask how they have handled these problems or found work-arounds for them. Maybe I am overthinking it, but I want to make sure I have thought it through before I start the contest and write out the rules.

Thanks,
Johnnie

Your talking ratings not contests so I think your confusing yourself a little when you do not need to.

when running a contest you clear ratings in the vote control panel. you then start the contest and a user can only vote once so no one can cheat or inflate anything ;)