i have a new computer with Win8, which recognizes the iphone as a camera, but cannot generate an iphone device (or any) left side column in newly dnlded iTunes

i have a year old iphone and a new computer with Win 8. The computer recignizes the phone as a camera, and generates a picture of the iphone sitting on the screen. I have downloaded itunes twice, and cannot get thecolumn on the left with the choices for interacting with the iphone, synching, etc. I would love some directions. Is this a windoiws 8 problem?