How to Create a Water Ripple Effect in Adobe Photoshop

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Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Tested

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Photoshop is great tool for creating beautiful effects with very simple techniques. In this Photoshop tutorial we will learn a simple technique for creating water ripple by using only one filter. You will need Photoshop CS.

Steps

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1. 
   1
   Create a new document with 1024 width and 768 height.
2. 
   2
   Apply a linear gradient. Apply color #0054A6. Set color midpoint at 59% and click OK.
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3. 
   3
   Apply gradient diagonally on your document.
4. 
   4
   Have fun creating water ripples. Select filter->distort->zigzag.
5. 
   5
   In the zigzag dialogue box select options: amount=100, ridges=10, style=pond ripple. Click OK.
6. 
   6
   You will get the following water ripple effect in the image.
7. 
   7
   A simple trick to give your image more depth and a glossy effect as if the water is reflecting light: Apply the same effect you applied in step 4 again on your image.
8. 
   8
   Learn that you have your very own water ripple. You can experiment with different gradients and colors to create your own water ripple image series.
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Things You'll Need

• Photoshop CS.