In 1949, Rosemary took a trip to Ceylon and stayed about 2 years. Her older brother had taken over the tea planting and her father returned to live in Hove, England. As a budding photographer she travelled around the island taking pictures of Sinhalese and Tamil activities, festivals, religious observances, monuments and ruins, as well as everyday life. She particularly enjoyed the latter and her friendly and ingenuous approach encouraged people to open up to her, especially the shyer women and children. As her career progressed she perfected this talent for getting her subjects to relax and feel comfortable. This is apparent in so many of her photos, photos that radiate smiles and laughter. Much of her photography in Ceylon was for her own interest but she also did some work for a UK agency and The Times Educational Supplement.