Fluid properties like viscosity, yield strength, and density may be measured by analyzing fluid motion in response to disturbing the surface of the fluid. For example, a method may include disturbing a surface of a fluid in one or more locations, thereby forming a deformation and waves at the surface of the fluid for the one or more locations; imaging and measuring at least one selected from the group consisting of the deformation, the waves, and a combination thereof; and calculating a property of the fluid based on the at least one selected from the group consisting of the deformation, the waves, and a combination thereof, the property selected from the group consisting of viscosity, yield strength, density, and any combination thereof.