Create a water ripple from a source using this lens flare trick!
1: Create a black (or dark colored) 1024x768 image. Duplicate that layer. On your topmost black layer, go Filter > Render > Lens Flare (50-300mm Zoom at 100%). Repeat this step so that the lens flare will be brighter. Now go Filter > Distort > Twirl (999), and repeat this step one more time. Looks cool already, huh?
2: Now, do Edit > Transform > Distort so that the twirl looks like something you can stand on. I'd advise starting in the bottom right corner and dragging the selection inwards to give it the desired effect.
3: Now, rotate your twirl using Edit > Free Transform > Rotate to get it in a level position. Try to align the twirl with the bottom of the canvas. When you've got it set, go Layer > Flatten Image. Then, duplicate your newly flattened image.
4: Select the bottom twirl layer and go Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur (3.5 pixels). Set the top twirl Layer Style to "Multiply." Now, Layer > Flatten Image. Now continue on to make it a bit more fancy.
5: At this point, the twirl is really obvious, so to make it look more like a ripple, use the Burn tool set to Range: Midtones, Exposure: 20% to get rid of the green from the lens flare in the center. Then, bring out the highlights using the Dodge tool set to Range: Highlights, Exposure: 30%.
6: Finally, create a new layer. Set the Layer Style of this layer to "Color." On this layer, use the Diamond Gradient with any color selection you choose. I decided on blue and white, because the white lets the red of the lens flare come through a bit. As a finishing touch, use a scattered brush at a size of 1 pixel to create little particles floating about. Click the image for the final result.
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